Groupthink Vs Group Polarization

What Is the Difference Between Group Polarization and Groupthink? When we join together in groups, most times we have to make decisions about something the group will do. Social psychologists have discovered tendencies which we do while making group decisions. Two of theses tendencies are group polarization and groupthink. Group polarization refers to a situation in which the attitudes or decisions of people in the group come on much stronger than in actuality. Usually when people with different opinions of a topic come together, we expect that the discussion of these differences is a method of changing opinions of individuals. In opposition, people tend to hold true to their opinion in a strong manner, making their stance more extreme.
Social psychologists emphasize that group polarization is a direct result in conformity, the tendency to act or think like members of a group. Groupthink refers to a condition in which members of group arrive at conclusions based on the pressure from the group put their opinions and beliefs aside.
This can cause some to keep quiet and not voice their opinion so they do not oppose against the group. According to Janis, there are eight symptoms of groupthink. Illusions of invulnerability, unquestioned beliefs, rationalization, stereotyping, self-censorship, mind guards, illusion of unanimity, and direct pressure. An example of group polarization is having a discussion about gay marriage, if you will. Those who support gay marriage are placed together and those against gay marriage are placed together. It is noted that in the beginning of the discussion all subjects have a moderate opinion and at the end of the discussion it’s clear that they take a stance about the topic that was not initial. Social psychologists emphasize the group polarization is a result of conformity. On the other hand, groupthink can be compared to a group project at school. There may have been times where someone did not voice their opinion although they did not agree with the rest of the group. This was probably because you did not want to upset anyone. Humans are drawn to being accepted in a
group. Overall, in group polarization, people in the group end up having extreme opinions. In groupthink, people go along with the rest of the groups ideas and disregard their own opinion. Group think is an extreme form of group polarization. There can be times in which group polarization does not qualify as group think, but every instance of group think can be called group polarization. Both group polarization and groupthink are used everyday, whether it would be individual decisions, group decisions, political decisions, and in many other ways.