Group Polarization
After listening to and hearing from the supporters, the girlfriend simply decides to change her views, becoming a victim of group polarization. Group polarization occurs when a conversation causes a certain group to adopt actions and attitudes that are more extreme than the participants’ previous beliefs and actions. Polarization can go in either a dangerous or conservative direction. The scenario in the assignment is about a girlfriend who has conflicted thoughts about abortion and recently attended an anti-abortion demonstration. She no longer considers having an abortion after that.
Possible Explanation: Dissemination of Compelling Arguments
One possible explanation for group polarization is the dissemination of compelling arguments by group members. For example, when a big number of the group’s population are like-minded and present arguments against abortions, their attitudes and actions will be supporting anti-abortion that other group participants have not yet considered. The initial attitudes of the majority, therefore, becomes stronger compared to the individual stand about the abortion. During arguments, there is a tendency to repeat points to make a firm stand about the group’s attitude towards abortion, such repetitions both individual’s and group’s actions (Brauer et al., 1995).
Possible Explanation: Influence of Social Comparison
Another possible explanation to polarization is to do with the influence of social comparison. In this case, my girlfriend will assess other group participants attitude which in this case is anti-abortion. She then adopts a similar or more extreme attitude. Most people tend towards liking those identical to them It also happens if people with different views and attitudes want to be liked by other group participants, then in one way they must accomplish their beliefs, actions, and attitudes in a manner consistent with the groups.
Reference
Brauer, M., Judd, C. M., & Gliner, M. D. (1995). The effects of repeated expressions
on attitude polarization during group discussions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68, 1014-1029.
