What do we call the tendency for group decisions to become more extreme than the initial preferences of members?

The phenomenon where group decisions become more extreme than the initial preferences of individual members is known as group polarization. This occurs when discussions among group members lead to a shift in attitudes, resulting in more extreme positions than any individual initially held. Factors contributing to this include the affirmation of shared beliefs, the persuasive arguments presented during discussions, and the social comparison process, where individuals strive to align their views with those of the group to enhance their group identity.

Groupthink, on the other hand, is about the tendency for cohesive groups to prioritize consensus over critical evaluation, which can lead to poor decision-making. Process loss refers to the reduction in group performance that can occur when working together compared to working individually, typically arising from coordination issues or social loafing. Transactive memory relates to how groups remember information collectively, enhancing their memory capacity, rather than influencing decision extremity. Therefore, the right term for the tendency to adopt more extreme views in a group context is group polarization.