What is group polarization and briefly describe its main effect? What are the two main mechanisms involved, and describe them in detail?

What will be an ideal response?


Group polarization means that the initial leaning or preference of a group prior to its discussions will be strengthened during the group's interactions. This is caused by two basic psychological forces:
1) Social comparison—people want to be a good group member, so whatever is the prototypical opinion, they adopt an even "better" opinion (e.g., in a group of liberals, "better" would mean more liberal).
2) Arguments made during discussion are more likely to favor the group's initial preference—thus, a group member is going to repeatedly hear an appeal to a systematic examination, leading him or her to believe that is the correct view.

Psychology

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A splitting of mental processes into two separate, simultaneous streams of awareness is known as _________________

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Psychology

Describe the following forms that cohabitation takes: limited cohabitation, premarital cohabitation, and substitute marriage. How do these types of cohabitation differ with culture?

What will be an ideal response?

Psychology

Aaron is homophobic. This means that he __________.

A. secretly desires a homosexual experience B. wishes he had been born a woman C. holds negative attitudes and harbors irrational fears about homosexuality D. commits hate crimes against gays and lesbians

Psychology

Jane is a calm and composed person who believes in working patiently. She hates the idea of employees working aggressively to win more incentives than their coworkers. She is cooperative with her coworkers and helps them whenever they are in need. Jane is a ________ individual.

A. Type C B. Type D C. Type B D. Type A

Psychology