We have learned from extensive research that groups are subject to group polarization and groupthink. Group polarization happens when members of the group all come to accept a more extreme point of view. Groupthink occurs when group members reason that they cannot be wrong and reject any argument contrary to their own—rejecting criticism from internal members and criticism from people in out-groups. Groupthink reduces members’ sharing of information, which may result in a less realistic decision in favor of a more biased one.
Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:
- Describe a real-life example of groupthink or group polarization that you have personally witnessed or experienced.
- Describe a scenario in which groupthink or group polarization in your example could have been stopped by using any of the following: counterarguments, conferring with someone outside of the group, critically evaluating every member’s ideas, or using smaller breakout groups. You can also choose a strategy that has not been listed here.