Josephine is sitting on a jury whose task is to decide whether or not to give the defendant a life sentence in prison. Most of the members of the jury feel the defendant can be rehabilitated and feel a twenty-year sentence would be appropriate. However, after listening to some of the members express their opinions about how detrimental prison life can be, the jury finally recommends a sentence of only ten years. In this case, which psychological principle may have shaped the opinion?
A)Social facilitation
B)Group polarization
C)Social loafing
D)Groupthink

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Group polarization occurs when discussions within a group lead to an exaggeration of the group's initial leanings. In this case, the jury's discussion led them to adopt a more lenient stance than initially proposed, demonstrating group polarization.

Josephine Is Sitting on a Jury Whose Task Is to Decide