US High School Psychology Complete Practice Exam 2025

Group polarization refers to the tendency for group discussion to lead members to adopt more extreme positions than they initially held, increasing the overall intensity of their views. This phenomenon occurs when individuals in a group share their opinions and arguments, reinforcing each other's beliefs and leading to a shift toward a more extreme or polarized stance.

When group members discuss a topic, they often bring in shared values and perspectives, which can amplify their commitment to those viewpoints. As they hear more arguments supporting their opinions, they may feel more confident in their beliefs and move towards more radical perspectives. This can occur in various settings, from political discussions to jury deliberations, and can significantly impact decision-making processes within groups.

The other options do not accurately capture this specific concept. Sharing different opinions does not necessarily lead to polarization; it can result in debate or compromise without extreme shifts in position. Decision-making within a group can involve many processes, but group polarization specifically highlights the trend toward extremity rather than just the act of deciding. Lastly, conflict resolution methods deal with addressing and managing disagreements rather than the tendency to become more extreme in one's views. Therefore, the definition highlighting the shift toward more extreme positions most accurately encompasses the essence of group polarization.