Cognitive Scaffold

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MENTAL MODEL · M6310

Group Polarization

Group Polarization
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Group discussion often does not lead to a compromise of views, but rather to a shift toward more extreme positions. If the group was originally inclined to be radical, it will become more radical after discussion; if originally conservative, it will become more conservative.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

The intensification of the echo chamber. When making high-risk decisions, if team members have homogeneous backgrounds, discussion will only lead to overconfidence. It is necessary to introduce a 'devil's advocate' (opponent) to counteract the polarization tendency.

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Anchor fast decisions

After group discussion, members' positions are more extreme than the initial average, and the echo chamber effect intensifies this.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%BE%A4%E4%BD%93%E6%9E%81%E5%8C%96ZH · Explicit
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