Polarization

Explanations > Theories > Polarization

Description | Research | Example | So What? | See also | References 

Description

When people are enthused by a particular idea they may gradually acquire a more extreme viewpoint.

When looking at evidence, they will amplify confirming evidence and downplay disconfirming evidence. This contributes to their viewpoint becoming more entrenched and extreme.

Research

Lord, Ross and Lepper showed how people who supported or opposed capital punishment selectively used the same body of evidence to support their own viewpoint.

Example

A person believes in right wing politics and seeks failures in a left-wing government to prove the correctness of right-wing views. In doing so, they become even more convinced they are right.

So What?

Using it

Get a person to take an extreme position by setting someone else up in opposition to them.

Defending

Consider how you got to the viewpoints you have, particularly if it is relatively extreme.

See also

Group Polarization Phenomenon, Disconfirmation bias, Focusing effect, Confirmation Bias, Illusory Correlation

References

Lord, Ross, and Lepper (1979)