Group Polarization
What is Group Polarization?
Group polarization is a psychological phenomenon where being around like-minded people strengthens our opinions. The more we interact with groups that share our beliefs, the more confident—and often more extreme—those beliefs become.
The Basic Idea
Suddenly realizing his thirties are catching up to him, James decides to join a Facebook group about clean eating. As a busy family man who works full time and travels for work, he tends to grab takeout more often than he’d like. He figures some home-cooked meals for the road might help him shed a few pounds and get back into a fit lifestyle, setting a healthy example for his kids.
At first, the group feels helpful. There are thousands of people going through similar struggles, swapping recipes, sharing label-reading tips, and celebrating small changes. But over time, the tone shifts. The practical advice he joined for—the kind that made getting healthy seem possible for normal folks like him—starts to fade. Posts about antibiotics and gut bacteria, inflammation caused by dairy, and hidden toxins in GMOs begin to dominate. Members who ask skeptical questions go quiet. The most popular voices speak with absolute certainty, and the tone becomes increasingly rigid and judgmental.
Six months later, the man who just wanted a few better habits has cut out meat and dairy entirely, avoids eating at friends’ houses, and argues with his spouse about what the kids should be allowed to eat. Sure, he lost weight and feels amazing—but at the expense of his closest relationships.
When we engage with others who share our outlook, we often come away with a stronger, more rigid version of our original view. Group polarization strengthens our oppositional stance, but it’s not always loud or dramatic. Often, it’s a quiet drift, fueled by validation, repetition, and the sense that those who hesitate to join others in their extremism might be missing something important.
“When people all share the same moral narrative, they become blind to alternative perspectives.”
— Jonathan Haidt, American social psychologist1
About the Author
Joy VerPlanck
Dr. VerPlanck brings over two decades of experience helping teams learn and lead in high-stakes environments. With a background in instructional design and behavioral science, she develops practical solutions at the intersection of people and technology. Joy holds a Doctorate in Educational Technology and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, and often writes about cognitive load and creativity as levers to enhance performance.
