Group polarization

(noun)

It refers to the tendency for groups to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members.

Related Terms

Examples of Group polarization in the following topics:

  • Controlling the Behaviors of Group Members

    • The behavior of group members can be controlled indirectly through group polarization, groupthink, and herd behavior.
    • Group polarization is the phenomenon that when placed in group situations, people will make decisions and form opinions that are more extreme than when they are in individual situations.
    • The importance of group polarization is significant as it helps explain group behavior in a variety of real-life situations.
    • For instance, group polarization can largely be seen at political conventions that are broadcasted nation wide before a large election.
    • Give examples of group polarization, groupthink and herd behavior in real life

  • Making Decisions

    • In 2009, an interesting occurrence of group polarization was found in a study conducted by Luhan, Kocher, and Sutter, in which subjects played a ‘dictator game'.
    • This study therefore offers evidence of group polarization in that the actions of individuals when in a group were more extreme than when the individual acted individually.
    • Similarly, group polarization refers to the tendency for groups to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial inclination of its members.
    • In 2009, an interesting occurrence of group polarization was found in a study conducted by Luhan, Kocher, and Sutter, in which subjects played a ‘dictator game'.
    • This study therefore offers evidence of group polarization, where the actions of individuals when in a group were more extreme than when the individual acted individually.

  • Group Influence

    • Juries can be influenced by group polarization, leading to more extreme punitive damage awards.
    • Group polarization refers to the finding that after participating in a discussion group, members tend to advocate more extreme positions and/or call for riskier courses of action than individuals who did not participate in any such discussion.
    • Group polarization results from two primary mechanisms: social comparison and informational influence.
    • Group polarization has been used to explain the decision-making of juries, particularly when considering punitive damages in a civil trial.
    • Juries can be influenced by group polarization, leading to more extreme punitive damage awards.

  • Genocide

    • Genocide is "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group".
    • (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
    • Symbolization:"When combined with hatred, symbols may be forced upon unwilling members of pariah groups...""
    • Dehumanization:"One group denies the humanity of the other group.
    • Polarization:"Hate groups broadcast polarizing propaganda...""

  • The Changing Face of the Workplace

    • Industry has become more information driven and less labor intensive, leading to a polarization between high- and low-skilled jobs.
    • Individuals who lose their jobs must either move up— joining a group of "mind workers" (engineers, attorneys, scientists, professors, executives, journalists, consultants)— or settle for low-skill, low-wage service jobs.
    • The polarization of jobs into relatively high-skill, high wage jobs and low-skill, low-wage jobs has led to a growing disparity between incomes of the rich and poor.
    • Examine the impact of the Information Age on the workforce, from automation to polarization

  • Ominous Trends in the U.S.

    • While productivity stands to increase dramatically, unemployment is also rising, and jobs are increasingly polarized into the following two categories: high-skill, high-wage jobs, and low-skill, low-wage jobs.
    • They can either settle for low-skill, low-wage jobs, or they can move up, joining a group called "mind workers. " This category includes engineers, attorneys, scientists, professors, executives, journalists, and consultants.
    • Increasingly, jobs in countries like the United States are polarized into low-skill, low-wage jobs or the high-skill, high-wage jobs of these "mind workers. " Because of this polarization, there is a growing disparity between the incomes of the rich and poor.
    • Examine how the Information Age is leading to higher productivity but fewer jobs, which lead to polarization between incomes of the rich and poor

  • Culture Wars

    • Hunter described what he saw as a dramatic realignment and polarization that had transformed American politics and culture.
    • He argued that on an increasing number of "hot-button" defining issues, such as abortion, gun politics, separation of church and state, privacy, recreational drug use, homosexuality, and censorship issues, there existed two definable polarities.
    • Furthermore, not only were there a number of divisive issues, but society had divided along essentially the same lines on these issues, so as to constitute two warring groups, defined primarily not by religion, ethnicity, social class, or even political affiliation, but rather by ideological world views.

  • Secondary Groups

    • Secondary groups are large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal oriented; their relationships are temporary.
    • Unlike first groups, secondary groups are large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal oriented.
    • In contrast to primary groups, secondary groups don't have the goal of maintaining and developing the relationships themselves.
    • He labeled groups as "primary" because people often experience such groups early in their life and such groups play an important role in the development of personal identity.
    • Primary groups can form within secondary groups as relationships become more personal and close.

  • Primary and Secondary Groups

    • A Primary group is typically a small social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships.
    • Families and close friends are examples of primary groups
    • Secondary groups are large groups whose relationships are impersonal and goal-oriented.
    • People in a secondary group interact on a less personal level than in a primary group.
    • He labeled groups as "primary" because people often experience such groups early in their life and such groups play an important role in the development of personal identity.

  • Primary Groups

    • A primary group is typically a small social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships.
    • A primary group is a group in which one exchanges implicit items, such as love, caring, concern, support, etc.
    • Examples of these would be family groups, love relationships, crisis support groups, and church groups.
    • A primary group is typically a small social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships.
    • Examples of these would be family groups, love relationships, crisis support groups, and church groups.