PSYC231 MT2-PT.4

What is group polarization?

The tendency for group discussion to strengthen members' initial attitudes, making the group's position more extreme in the direction it already leaned.

What is the difference between group polarization and groupthink?

Group polarization = group opinions become more extreme after discussion;

groupthink = the desire for agreement discourages critical evaluation and can produce poor decisions.

How can group discussion produce polarization?

Discussion exposes members to supporting arguments, social comparisons, and group identity pressures that can strengthen their initial positions.

What are the three main explanations of group polarization?

Informational influence,

social comparison theory (normative influence),

and self-categorization theory.

How does informational influence explain group polarization?

Members hear persuasive arguments/information supporting their initial position, causing their attitudes to become stronger or more extreme.

How does the central route relate to group polarization?

People actively evaluate the arguments shared during discussion; convincing arguments can strengthen their original position.

How does the peripheral route relate to group polarization?

People may be influenced by cues or heuristics surrounding arguments rather than carefully evaluating their quality.

How does social comparison theory explain group polarization?

People compare their views with the group's apparent norm and may shift toward a more extreme position to fit in or be seen favourably.

How is normative influence involved in group polarization?

People adjust their expressed opinions to gain group approval and avoid appearing less committed than other members.

What is pluralistic ignorance, and how can it contribute to group polarization?

Everyone thinks they’re alone in their opinion, but they’re actually not.

Pluralistic ignorance contributes to group polarization because people mistakenly believe others hold more extreme opinions than they actually do.

How does self-categorization theory explain group polarization?

people make their opinions more extreme to fit the identity of their group.

People shift their opinions toward the group’s prototypical position (what a typical group member believes).

How is self-categorization theory related to social identity theory?

Self-categorization theory is an extension of social identity theory.

They both explain how belonging to groups influences our behaviour, but they focus on slightly different things.

Social Identity Theory = WHO am I?

• Part of our identity comes from the groups we belong to.

Self-Categorization Theory = HOW do I act as a group member?

• We categorize ourselves as members of particular groups.

What is a prototypical group position?

The attitude or behaviour perceived as most representative of what it means to belong to a particular group.

What is groupthink?

when people prioritize agreeing with the group over thinking critically, which can lead to poor decisions.

What are the three broad causes of groupthink?

High group cohesiveness,

structural faults,

and situational context.

How can high cohesiveness contribute to groupthink?

Members strongly value group unity and may avoid disagreement to preserve harmony.

How can structural faults contribute to groupthink?

Group decision-making structures that limit

independent opinions,

impartial leadership,

or outside input can discourage critical evaluation.

How can situational context contribute to groupthink?

Stressful circumstances or pressure to make decisions can increase the desire for quick agreement rather than careful consideration.

What are the eight symptoms of groupthink?

Illusion of invulnerability,

unquestioned group morality,

collective rationalization,

stereotyping outsiders,

conformity pressure, self-censorship,

illusion of unanimity

, and mindguards.

What is the illusion of invulnerability?

Group members develop excessive confidence and believe their group is unlikely to fail or experience negative consequences.

What does unquestioned group morality mean?

Members assume their group is inherently moral and fail to critically examine the ethical consequences of its decisions.

What is collective rationalization in groupthink?

Group members justify existing decisions or beliefs instead of seriously reconsidering evidence that challenges them.

What is stereotyping outsiders in groupthink?

Dismissing or derogating opponents and outsiders, making their perspectives easier to reject without careful evaluation.

What is conformity pressure in groupthink?

Group members actively pressure dissenters to agree with the majority and preserve group unity.

What is self-censorship in groupthink?

Withholding personal doubts or opposing opinions to avoid disagreement with the group.

What is the illusion of unanimity?

The mistaken belief that everyone agrees because challenging opinions are absent, suppressed, or unexpressed.

What are mindguards?

Group members who shield the group from information or perspectives that could challenge its preferred position.

What are five strategies for preventing groupthink?

Impartial leadership,

assigning a devil's advocate,

dividing into subgroups,

seeking expert critiques,

and holding second-chance meetings.

What is the purpose of a devil's advocate in preventing groupthink?

To deliberately challenge the group's assumptions and proposed decisions so alternatives receive critical evaluation.

What are the main critiques of groupthink theory?

It was developed partly from anecdotal cases,

has limited or mixed empirical support,

relies on older research,

and may not generalize equally across cultures.

What is the 'both-sides' criticism of groupthink prevention?

encouraging people to consider opposing viewpoints can sometimes give equal attention to arguments that aren’t equally supported by evidence.

Who are incels, and what is the 'black pill' in the lecture's research example?

Incels are people identifying as involuntarily celibate; in the harmful online ideology discussed in class, the black pill expresses fatalistic beliefs about dating and perceived unchangeable hierarchies of attractiveness.

How does informational influence contribute to polarization in some incel communities?

Community members encounter arguments,

statistics,

and perceived authorities that appear logical or factual, reinforcing their existing beliefs.

How does social comparison contribute to polarization in some incel communities?

A desire for belonging and acceptance can encourage members to adopt increasingly extreme positions or perform toughness to fit group expectations.

How does self-categorization contribute to polarization in some incel communities?

Identifying with the community can make members adopt increasingly extreme positions they perceive as representative of the group, including competition over who best fits its norms.