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Architecture & Engineering


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May 31, 2013

Strange But True!

Q. What are some powerful psychodynamics to keep in mind when joining in group discussions with like-minded people on the Internet?

A. The obvious danger is that such groups tend to strengthen and magnify prevailing opinions — termed “group polarization,” says David G. Myers in “Exploring Psychology: Ninth Edition.” By amplifying shared concerns and ideas, this can foster social ventures — for good or for ill. As the Internet connects the like-minded, they pool their ideas, “resulting in groups of climate-change skeptics, UFO abductees, conspiracy theorists of all sorts.” Other studies have shown that when prejudiced high-school students “chat” about prejudice, their biases tend to increase.


 
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