Group Polarization Vs. Groupthink: What Is The Difference?
Most of us have heard of groupthink, though we may not fully know its meaning. Group polarization is a term of equal importance, though one that may also be unclear. Group polarization refers to the tendency for group decision making to result in more extreme decisions than individual decisions. Knowing the difference between group polarization and groupthink can be important for understanding how our thoughts and opinions are being shaped by group discussions and group values. We'll look at the similarities and differences between group polarization and groupthink, and explain why it’s important to avoid them or seek out help if you find yourself acting or behaving in ways you normally wouldn’t, due to normative influence or informational influence.
What is group polarization?
Have you ever sat down to talk with someone and by the end of the conversation, you believe more adamantly in your correctness and their wrongness? If so, you may have been experiencing what’s known as group polarization.
For example, let’s say you’re talking about something silly, like whether bananas are better than strawberries for a snack. You sit down to have a group discussion and, before you know it, you are staunchly defending your opinion and feeling like the other group member is wrong for their thoughts. Maybe you don't even really like bananas, but you find yourself firmly entrenched in your opinion.
Social psychology has found that this happens a lot (and with far more important issues than bananas and strawberries). Group polarization occurs when group decisions make people feel even more stubborn and hard-headed about their own opinions. Experimental social psychology researchers have continued to evaluate why this happens and what it means. What they've found is that social comparison plays a role, as people have a deep need to be accepted and belong. In general, people who have a moderate opinion feel like they are not accepted and that they should belong to a well established group.
So how does a moderate opinion get you into a group? It doesn't. Being staunch and firm in your opinions gets you into a group, and so, people tend to pull off into specific and very strongly opinionated groups. Group polarization effects result in conformity, which could push you further into a corner than you ever intended to be. Later, you may wonder how you ever came to the conclusions you did, influenced by persuasive arguments and group discussion shifts.
What is groupthink?
Groupthink is based on the same type of feeling and desire to be accepted as group polarization, but it takes effect in a slightly different way. Instead of thinking strongly that you are right and the other person is wrong when groupthink takes over, group members start to fall in line with the opinions and beliefs of the majority. Groups discussing problems may experience this phenomenon. Instead of voicing their own opinions, everyone starts to believe in the same way.
Individuals who are more prone to engaging in groupthink tend to succumb to peer pressure and go along with whatever the group wants. They may think that they don't like what the group is doing or even that they don't agree, but they still allow the group to take charge. Either way, the group gets its way, and everyone who doesn't agree with it is swept along.
There are eight aspects or symptoms that indicate groupthink is taking place. These include:
- Illusions of invulnerability (i.e., believing that if you're with the group, you're unstoppable)
- Rationalization (i.e., giving "reasons" not to dispute the thoughts of the group)
- Unquestioned beliefs (i.e., ignoring any moral problem associated with the act)
- Stereotyping (i.e., creating an “us vs. them” mentality for those in or out of the group, such as an opposing political party)
- Self-censorship (i.e., forcing everyone to hide their thoughts or fears)
- Illusions of unanimity (i.e., making you believe everyone else already believes the way the group does)
- Direct pressure (i.e., pushing you to accept)
- Mind guards (i.e., hiding anything that might be contrary to the beliefs of the group, often seen on social media platforms)
Group polarization compared to groupthink reveals different mechanisms, but both can have significant impacts on decision-making and group dynamics.
Why are groupthink and group polarization unhealthy?
The truth is that either group polarization or groupthink can result in problems for you in the future and even in the immediate moment. In group polarization scenarios, we seem to “double down” on stances that may not hold much significance – it’s the fact that someone holds an opposite opinion to ours that influences us to plant our feet more firmly in the ground. Groupthink involves the opposite: a surrender to authority. In both situations, one may risk fundamentally damaging or changing one’s identity in ways that can have devastating consequences.
Social comparison theory suggests that we often evaluate ourselves in relation to others, which can lead to these group dynamics. Rational discussions can lead to new insights or positive changes. Group polarization and groupthink, however, can often disrupt this process.
Groupthink and group polarization stymie civil harmony by causing people with different opinions to keep their mouths shut, second-guess, or conform to the group/majority. The truth is that with groupthink and group polarization, no one knows what the majority thinks because not everyone is voicing their true opinion.
If you have an opinion that is different from someone else's, it's important to be able to voice that opinion. Feel free to defend your opinion with your own beliefs and with facts, but be willing to accept the things that someone else says as possible facts and valid opinions, as well. This approach aligns with the persuasive arguments theory, which emphasizes the importance of considering possible facts and valid opinions as well.
Just because you hear an opinion you don’t agree with doesn’t mean it's 100% wrong or 100% right. Being open to something new from another person and being willing to voice your opinion even if you're the only one with that opinion is important and ultimately helps progress society. This openness can prevent risky shift and improve decision-making in various settings, even among staunchly ethical groups such as federal district court judges.
What to do when you're not comfortable voicing your opinion
Maybe you don't feel comfortable being the only one with a certain type of opinion. Or it might make you uncomfortable to speak up to a crowd that has a completely different opinion than you. Maybe you don't like to listen to opinions that differ from yours. What if you find yourself getting too defensive and domineering or submitting to groupthink? If you find yourself doing either of these things frequently, it's important to adjust, make changes, and attempt to grow from it. These are all things you can begin to work on.
Feeling more self-confident can help you to avoid group polarization and groupthink, which you may be able to accomplish in talk therapy. A mental health professional is someone that you can talk to about your thoughts, feelings, and opinions and learn more about how to accept those of other people around you. They can help you explain group polarization and its effects on your interactions.
Look for ways to moderate your opinions at least a little, where needed. Find ways that you can be a more effective listener and attempt to understand other people’s thoughts and feelings more deeply so that you can better understand your own. It's not always easy to start putting these plans into action, but it's something that you can do over time and with minimal effort.
Start small and build your way up. If you take a few minutes to sit back and be quiet while someone else is talking so you can listen to their opinion instead of talking about them, that could be a positive first step. If you speak up and voice your opinion in a situation where it seems like you're the only one who has that opinion, it's a step in the right direction as well. Consider both the persuasive argument and why significant arguments occurred to create a more balanced discussion.
Online therapy with BetterHelp
Not everyone feels comfortable discussing their experiences in submitting to groupthink or group polarization. In many cases, people may feel ashamed of what they did or did not do. Shame can be a significant deterrent to seeking help. Online therapy may give you the confidence and ability you need to fully open up. You can connect with a licensed therapist through BetterHelp, an online counseling platform. Here, you can connect in whatever way makes you feel most comfortable.
Recent research demonstrates how internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective in alleviating social anxiety symptoms by reducing individuals’ levels of shame. This can be harder to achieve in an in-person therapy setting, where you must look someone in the eye and be mere feet away from them. The online therapy setting often allows people to be more open and honest, and more quickly—allowing them to find relief sooner.
Takeaway
What is the difference between group polarization and groupthink?
Group polarization occurs when decisions in the group make people even more locked into their own opinions. It may lead to people dividing into very specific and polarized groups. With group polarization, you may think that you’re right and other members of the group are wrong, driving you to look for other people or groups that have similar opinions.
Groupthink is slightly different. Instead of thinking that you’re right and the other person is wrong, groupthink causes people to fall in line with the opinions of the majority. People who succumb to groupthink may give into peer pressure and follow along with what the group wants, even if they don’t necessarily agree.
How are group polarization and groupthink similar?
Something that group polarization and groupthink have in common is that they both relate to the desire to be accepted. With group polarization, you may feel so strongly about your opinions that you believe more people should share it, which can push you toward finding a group of people that agrees with you. Groupthink is a little different. Rather than speaking up about differences in opinion, you may allow the group mentality to take over and agree with the majority, even if you don’t necessarily agree with every aspect of it.
How does group polarization lead to groupthink?
Group polarization can drive someone to find a group of people who agree with them. For a simple example, let’s go back to the example about strawberries and bananas. If you prefer strawberries and most people like bananas, you might be tempted to find other people who prefer strawberries so you feel like you belong.
But once you find that group, you might notice that some people won’t eat anything but strawberries. Even if you like to have a banana every once in a while, you might be peer pressured into the idea that strawberries are the only fruit you should eat.
What is an example of a group polarization?
A good example of group polarization can be in online communities. When you join a group online, you’re likely doing so because you share a hobby, interest, or opinion with other members of the group. As the group interacts, opinions may become more extreme and amplified. How does this happen? Because there is no one expressing a contrary opinion, there are no alternate views, causing the group to act as an echo chamber.
What is the impact of group polarization?
Group polarization can cause people to shift toward extremes as people who do not share the mainstream opinion form groups of their own. Because of the lack of alternate opinions, groupthink might then occur, which can cause these new groups to become even more polarizing.
How can you avoid groupthink and group polarization in discussions?
There are a few ways to avoid groupthink and group polarization in discussions. Encouraging a respectful dialogue can be helpful as it may create an environment of trust where people may be more likely to express their opinions without fear of retribution or exclusion. Part of this may be encouraging respectful disagreement and remembering that people can disagree without it turning into a conflict. If possible, including people with multiple viewpoints in the discussion can help prevent anyone from feeling isolated or pressured to adopt the mainstream opinion.
How does group polarization affect group decision-making?
Group polarization may cause groups to have more extreme opinions than those of individuals. For example, people who may already be cautious about their opinion may become even more cautious when talking to a like-minded group. When people are less cautious, they may shift toward even riskier decisions when talking to a like-minded group.
Why can groupthink be a problem?
Groupthink can be a problem because it can encourage people to set aside their personal beliefs to go along with the group. It can discourage independent thinking and may lead the group toward a more extreme opinion than independent group members have.
How do you overcome group polarization?
To overcome group polarization, use critical thinking. Try not to jump to conclusions or make decisions quickly. Instead, discuss what the group can do to make sure they have as much information as possible to come to a reasonable conclusion.
When putting together groups as a leader, try to seek out people with different points of view. More perspectives can lead to deeper views of the experiences of others, which may temper the group’s opinion. Active listening can help you better understand the opinions of others, and empathy can help you consider other viewpoints, which may encourage the group to find a middle ground.
What is polarization in everyday situations?
Polarization in everyday situations can include bumper stickers, t-shirts, profile pictures, hats, or flags supporting a political candidate or movement. The internet can also be quite polarizing, particularly since many tech platforms use algorithms that fuel political polarization.
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