Which phenomenon describes the strengthening of a group's prevailing inclinations after discussion with like-minded members?

• A. Group Polarization
• B. Culture
• C. Prejudice
• D. Informational Social Influence

Answer: (A)

Group polarization describes how a group’s prevailing stance becomes more extreme after members who share similar views discuss it. When like-minded people talk, they hear more arguments in the same direction and feel stronger confidence that the group is right, which pushes each member toward a more extreme position and the group as a whole toward a tougher stance. A common example is a jury that debates and ends up with a harsher verdict than the initial impression of individual members. This phenomenon isn’t about a broad cultural system, or a general attitude like prejudice, and it isn’t about a single social-influence mechanism in isolation; it’s specifically about the group discussion amplifying the group’s initial leanings.