Explanation of Group Polarization

Explanation of Group Polarization -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Question: Members of a local school board meet to discuss a controversial proposal to extend school hours. Before the meeting, most board members slightly favored the idea. During their two-hour discussion, those who initially supported longer hours became increasingly passionate advocates, while those with minor reservations became strongly opposed. By the end of the meeting, the two sides refused to consider any middle ground, and constructive dialogue ceased. Which social psychology concept best explains this group dynamic? (A) Groupthink (B) Social facilitation (C) Conformity (D) Group polarization ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Answer: The social psychology concept that best explains this group dynamic is Group Polarization (D). Group polarization occurs when a group’s discussion leads members to adopt more extreme positions than they initially held. In the scenario described:     Initially, most board members supported the proposal to extend school hours. During the discussion, supporters became more passionate while those with reservations became strongly opposed. This shift in attitude illustrates that the exchange of ideas and arguments amplified their pre-existing positions. By the end of the meeting, constructive dialogue ceased, and the two factions were entrenched in their views, with no middle ground considered. Comparison with Other Concepts To understand why group polarization is the appropriate answer, let's briefly look at the other options:   Groupthink (A): This occurs when a group prioritizes consensus over critical thinking, often leading to poor decision-making. While there was strong support and opposition, the passionate discussions didn't lead to a lack of critical thinking but rather to more extreme views. Social Facilitation (B): This refers to improved performance on tasks in the presence of others. The meeting did not involve performance on a task but rather discussions that led to extreme divisions.  Conformity (C): This is the tendency to align attitudes or behaviors with those of a group. In this case, strong individual convictions were reinforced rather than simply conforming to group norms. Conclusion The scenario is a clear example of Group Polarization, as discussions led to heightened extremes in attitudes and a complete refusal to consider a middle ground. Further Reading For more in-depth understanding of group polarization and related concepts in social psychology, you may explore the following sources:    Psychology Today - Group Polarization Simply Psychology - Group Polarization Wikipedia - Group Polarization