group polarization chapter 8 part one

Group Polarization

1, groups increase members' existing opinions and tendencies 2. Groups tend to strengthen average tendencies instead of creating a split within the group.

5 examples of polarization in everyday life:

1. College 2. Communities 3. Politics 4. Internet 5. Terrorist organizations

3 reasons why group polarization intensifies group polarization

1. Discussion tends to strengthen whatever is initially the dominant point of view, whether it is risky or cautious 2. Group interaction tends to intensify opinions 3. Experiments confirmed that there are 2 group polarization influences, informational and normative. Information gained from discussion mostly favors the initially preferred alternative, reinforcing support for it.

Theories of Group Polarization

1. Informational influence. Central route processing can strengthen our opinions and reinforce the ways that they agree with the group. 2. Normative influence. Comparing ourselves to others and wanting to be liked can strengthen our opinions and bring them closer to the groups'.

Normative Influence

Comparison with others. We want other people to like us. We evaluate our opinions and abilities by comparing our views with other peoples'. We are most strongly persuaded by people in our reference/peer group, people we identify with. Because we want other people to like us, we may express stronger opinions after discovering that others share our views.

Informational influence

Information/Central route processing—it can strengthen our opinions and contribute to polarization in these ways: 1. Group discussion encourages pooling of shared ideas—many of these are common knowledge 2. Some of the ideas that are shared may be ideas that some members have never thought of before, even though they support same basic ideas and beliefs 3. Arguments matter and active participation is more important than passive. The more group members talk about their ideas, the more they rehearse and validate them (active). Even thinking about an issue for a couple of minutes can strengthen opinions. Verbal commitment increases their impact.

Pluralistic Influence

a false impression of what other people are thinking or feeling, or how they are responding

. Social comparison

evaluating one's opinions and abilities by comparing them with others'. Learning about other peoples' choices can contribute to the popularlity of music, books and movies as well as other ideas.

Social comparison Theory

experiments were set up to expose people to others' positions but not their arguments. Like getting the results of a voting exit poll on election day. Results show that when people learn results without discussion, prior commitment or sharing arguments, they WILL adjust their views to maintain a socially favorable position

Risky shift phenomenon

group and individual decisions tend to be riskier after group discussion. Doesn't happen only when group makes a group decision. After just discussion, both group and individuals will make riskier decisions. Example: teens together in a car make a riskier decision that 1 teen alone whether it is for the group or themselves.

Risky shift decision not always riskier

group discussion tends to intensify members' initial leanings. That can lead to either riskier or less risky behavior. Both influenced by initial leanings of the group members. Discussion typically strengthens the average inclination of group members.

Polarization in college

hard-working school students vs. party school students—differences will become greater over time

Polarization in politics

leads to deep divides like the ones in US now. Also lead to "gridlock"—noting gets done

Polarization in communities

people tend to "self segregate"==they tend to live in communities with people who are like them

Group Polarization Hypothesis

predicts that group discussion will strengthen an attitude shared by its members

Polarization in terrorist organizations

terrorism arises among people whose shared grievances/complaints bring them together and they fan their fire. They avoid exposure to moderating influences and becoe more extreme.

Polarization on the Internet

we selectively expose ourselves to like-minded media, isolate ourselves with like-minded others and find support for shared concerns, interests and suspicions. More information deepens divisions because it does not bring in new ideas but just adds information to the ideas/information we already have