Group Polarization and Groupthink
Put people into a group, and their thinking shifts in predictable ways.
Group polarization is the tendency for group discussion to strengthen members' initial leanings rather than moderate them. Mildly cautious people become more cautious; mildly risk-tolerant people become more daring.
Groupthink is a deeper failure mode where a cohesive group under pressure overrides realistic appraisal for harmony. Dissent is suppressed and doubts are self-censored.
| Phenomenon | Core Drive | Result | Remedies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polarization | Shared leanings | Shift to extremes | Broad discussion |
| Groupthink | Harmony & pressure | Disastrous decisions | Devil's advocate, outsiders |
Effort in Groups: Facilitation vs. Loafing
Group presence fundamentally changes individual effort and performance.
Social facilitation is the finding that others' presence improves performance on simple tasks, but worsens it on difficult ones. Social loafing is the tendency to exert less effort when individual contributions are pooled.
| Concept | Setting | Effect on Task | Pitfall to Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facilitation | Audience watches | Boosts simple tasks | Do not confuse with loafing |
| Loafing | Pooled group work | Reduces effort | Do not assume shared load |