After a group of gang members learned that their friend had died in a seemingly random accident, several of the friends started blaming a rival gang for the death. Even though there was no evidence whatsoever that the death had been intentional, the more the gang members talked, the more passionate they became in their belief that an act of revenge was necessary. What concept from social psychology may contribute to an act of violent revenge in this case?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a phenomenon in social psychology where a group's desire for harmony and conformity overrides rational decision-making, often leading to poor or dangerous decisions. In this case, the gang members' belief in the need for revenge may have been fueled by their desire to conform to the group's beliefs rather than by evidence or rational thinking.

After a Group of Gang Members Learned That Their Friend