The study of how group dynamics and polarization occur in political groups and how they impact individual attitudes and behavior.
Group cohesion: Group cohesion refers to the degree to which individual members of a group feel connected to one another.
Communication: Communication in group dynamics refers to the way that group members interact with one another and share information.
Power: Power in group dynamics refers to the ability of an individual or subgroup within a group to influence the behavior or attitudes of other members.
Conformity: Conformity is the tendency of individuals to conform to group norms and standards, even if those norms go against their own beliefs or values.
Leadership: Leadership in group dynamics refers to the ability of an individual to influence and motivate other members of the group towards achieving common goals.
Social identity: Social identity in group dynamics refers to the ways in which individuals define themselves in relation to the group and identifies with the group.
Intergroup relations: Intergroup relations in group dynamics refers to relations between different groups and how these relations influence group dynamics and polarization.
Psychological processes: Psychological processes in group dynamics refer to the mental processes that underlie group behavior, such as motivation, emotions, and beliefs.
Social norms: Social norms in group dynamics refer to the unwritten rules and expectations that dictate behavior within the group.
Polarization: Polarization in group dynamics refers to the tendency of groups to become increasingly divided over time, leading to greater conflict and less cooperation.
In-group bias: The tendency for individuals to favor members of their own group over those outside of their group.
Out-group derogation: The tendency for individuals to view members of a different group as inferior or threatening.
Social identity theory: The idea that individuals derive their sense of self from their group affiliations, which can lead to polarization between groups.
Confirmation bias: The tendency for individuals to seek out and focus on information that confirms their existing beliefs, while ignoring or discounting evidence that contradicts them.
Groupthink: The phenomenon in which group members conform to the group’s consensus, even if it goes against their own beliefs or judgement.
Cognitive dissonance: The uncomfortable psychological state that arises when individuals hold two conflicting beliefs or values, leading them to either change their beliefs or engage in defensive rationalization.
Group polarization: The tendency for groups to become more extreme in their attitudes and beliefs after discussing them with like-minded individuals.
In-group favoritism: The tendency for individuals to favor other members of their own group over those outside of their group, leading to the preferential treatment of in-group members.
Stereotyping: The process of attributing certain characteristics to members of a particular group on the basis of their group membership.
Contact hypothesis: The idea that prejudice and intergroup conflict can be reduced through increased contact between members of different groups.