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== Overview ==
Group polarization is an important phenomenon in social psychology and is observable in many social contexts. For example, a group of women who hold moderately feminist views tend to demonstrate heightened pro-feminist beliefs following group discussion.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Myers|first1=D.G.|title=Discussion-induced attitude polarization.|journal=Human Relations|date=1975|volume=28|issue=8|pages=699–714|doi=10.1177/001872677502800802}}</ref> Similarly, studies have shown that after deliberating together, mock jury members often decided on punitive damage awards that were either larger or smaller than the amount any individual juror had favored prior to deliberation.<ref name="Isenberg_group polarization">{{cite journal|last=Isenberg|first=D.J.|year=1986|title=Group Polarization: A Critical Review and Meta-Analysis|journal=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology|volume=50|issue=6|pages=1141–1151|doi=10.1037/0022-3514.50.6.1141|pmid=}}</ref> The studies indicated that when the jurors favored a relatively low award, discussion would lead to an even more lenient result, while if the jury was inclined to impose a stiff penalty, discussion would make it even harsher.<ref name="Bray_authoritarianism">{{cite journal|last=Bray|first=R. M.|author2=A. M. Noble|title=Authoritarianism and decisions of mock juries: Evidence of jury bias and group polarization|journal=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology|year=1978|volume=36|pages=1424–1430|doi=10.1037/0022-3514.36.12.1424|issue=12}}</ref> Moreover, in recent years, the Internet and online [[social media]] have also presented opportunities to observe group polarization and compile new research. Psychologists have found that social media outlets such as [[Facebook]] and [[Twitter]] demonstrate that group polarization can occur even when a group is not physically together. As long as the group of individuals begins with the same fundamental opinion on the topic and a consistent dialogue is kept going, group polarization can occur.<ref name="Yardi 316">{{cite journal|last=Yardi|first=Sarita|author2=Danah Boyd|title=Dynamic Debates: An analysis of group polarization over time on Twitter|journal=Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society|year=2010|volume=30|issue=5|pages=316–27|doi=10.1177/0270467610380011 }}</ref>
Research has suggested that well-established groups suffer less from polarization, as do groups discussing problems that are well known to them. However, in situations where groups are somewhat newly formed and tasks are new, group polarization can demonstrate a more profound influence on the decision-making.<ref name="Myers_the group polarization" />
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