What Is Group Polarization?

In decision-making psychology, when people compare collective decision-making with individual decision-making, collective decision-making often results in a more conservative or more risky psychological phenomenon of two extreme shifts, which is called group polarization effect, or group polarization effect.

Group polarization effect

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Many psychologists at home and abroad have done many researches on this psychological phenomenon and have proved the objectivity of this effect. Studies by psychologists Cogan et al. In 1967 show that group decisions make more risky decisions. The result of his research is that when individuals make individual decisions, they tend to think that investment can only be made when they have a 70% chance of success, while group decisions are reduced to 50%. However, further research has shown that (e.g., Moscow Vissi and Zavaloni, 1969; Forgas, 1977, 1983), this phenomenon mainly occurs in

So why does the above group polarization effect occur? What factors are affecting them? The study believes that the main reasons for the risk transfer of group polarization effects are:

The first is the diffusion of group responsibilities. In socialization, pro-society, and personalization studies, it has been proved that individuals in social groups have significantly reduced their awareness of their individual behavioral responsibility, that is, personal responsibility will be diffused during group decision-making. This view believes that group decision errors and responsibility are everyone's responsibility, and there is only a small part of each person's head. Therefore, it strengthens the courage of people to make decisions, reduces the fear of responsibility, and prompts people to choose more risky. decision making.

The second is the preference of the people in the group. In a group, the preferences of the people in the center of gravity often like risky decision-making, then there will be a risky transfer of decision-making, and the group will have a herd phenomenon.

The third is the impact of social value orientation. The cultural value orientation of a society often affects group decisions. If the social value is to be adventurous, then it will be very easy to make adventurous decisions when making group decisions. In other words, individual decisions in groups are affected by the overall socio-cultural value orientation.

The fourth is the role of public opinion evaluation within the group. In group decision-making, individual behavior is often affected by the role of group public opinion evaluation. If an individual is too cautious, he will be evaluated as a coward by other comrades in the group, lacking heroism, masculinity, old-fashioned antiques, etc., and thus intentionally or unintentionally biased against gastric risky decisions.

Fifth, it is related to the competitive environment. Generally speaking, in a competitive environment, groups are prone to making adventurous decisions, because not taking risks also means "death". It is better to fight, fight, and possibly save than "death".

It can be seen from the above that there are still many factors that affect the risk-shifting of the group polarization effect, and this effect is mostly negative. It lacks systematic and calm thinking, and often deviates from decision goals, resulting in decision errors. Easy to learn from.

The reasons for the cautious transfer of group polarization effects have been studied in the following aspects:

The first is the compliance role of the group. In group decision-making, many people have a mentality of "one thing is better than one less". Therefore, when taking an idea or making a decision, they often retreat by three feet, showing a kind of compliance phenomenon. Because they all agree to follow the opinions of others, even if the facts prove that such opinions are wrong, they are always negligible in pursuing their responsibilities. Therefore, most people are willing to choose a conservative decision.

The second is related to the self-protection mentality. Risky decision-making is always heavier than conservative decision-making. Conservative decision-making is relatively difficult to blame and punish. Therefore, in order not to lose their "rice bowls", most people will make a self-protection mentality and choose prudent decisions.

The third is closely related to the nature of the group. If it is a formal business group, the group will shift to caution when making decisions. Because it will be inhibited by many strict group norms and bear some responsibilities. Therefore, be cautious when making decisions.

The fourth is related to the content of group decision-making. In general, the higher the relevance of group decision content to individuals and groups, the more conservative they will be when making decisions. If decision-making has no sequelae to the group, it will tend to be risky.

In fact, conservative decision-making is also harmful, especially for pioneering and innovative development, which is harmful and not beneficial. It needs to be prevented and overcome.

Is there such a group polarization effect in school guidance and education? There are also. School teachers must also pay attention. The following measures must be taken by school teachers to make good use of them.

First, school teachers need to be aware of the effects of group polarization. The possibility of group polarization exists in any teacher's decision. Therefore, when organizing the class to discuss the decision, we must remind ourselves whether there is a phenomenon of group polarization effect. Because in an emergency situation, the class members may not be calm enough, and their emotions are easy to get excited, which will lead to a consensus on a certain issue and cause serious mistakes in class decision-making. Therefore, in order to avoid this phenomenon, school teachers must be aware of this when making class decisions collectively.

Secondly, school teachers should be good at using scientific decision-making methods to prevent group polarization effects. There are many scientific decision-making methods. The most effective methods are group argumentation method, listed group method, and Delphi method. The group argumentation method divides the group into two, part of which is only an idea, and part of it is just criticism. First, the idea creator designs the plan, and provides as many plans as possible, without any restrictions, can propose any plan, even if it is fantasy and baseless. Then critics sorted, analyzed, discussed, and proposed strict investigations to find the best or multiple effective solutions. The first stage is mainly to prevent the conservative transfer of group polarization effects; the second stage is mainly to prevent the risky transfer of group polarization effects. The listed group method and the Delphi method have already been introduced in explaining the Le Fleet effect.

Third, school teachers must learn techniques to delay decision-making. In non-emergency situations, try not to make decisions in a hurry, otherwise, the consequences are endless and the losses are huge. Generally speaking, when making decisions, we must pay attention to the principles of information accuracy, feasibility, system analysis, comparison and selection, timeliness, and group decision-making principles. When making decisions, we must always follow the decision-making process, that is, find problems, determine goals, and stabilize Value criteria, formulation of plans, evaluation of plans, selection of optimal plans, experimental evidence, universal experiments, etc. In addition, the decision-making plan must be democratized, open, rationalized, and legalized. These requirements and procedures, the speed of decision-making is impossible, otherwise, these requirements will be ignored, these procedures will be bypassed, and the decision will be wrong. Immediately following the above requirements, sometimes as a decision is correct, but after a few days it seems not so correct. Therefore, in order to make effective decisions, it is still necessary to postpone the decision, and of course, do not lose time.

Fourth, school teachers should attach importance to the creativity of class decisions. This prevents a conservative transfer of group polarization effects. But the risk transfer of group polarization effect cannot be regarded as the creativity of decision-making. The creativity of decision-making is to use the group's "Zhuge Lianghui" to increase individual creativity. However, a large number of facts show that groups tend to stick to rules in decision-making, but lack creativity. Therefore, if teachers want to be creative in making decisions, it is better to carry out in individual students first, and then submit the scheme to the class for evaluation. Such decisions are both creative and feasible.