What is the effect where a group's opinions become more extreme after discussion?

Group polarization refers to the phenomenon in which the attitudes or opinions of a group become more extreme after group discussions. This occurs because individuals within the group reinforce each other's beliefs, often leading to a shift towards more extreme positions than any individual member initially held. When members share their perspectives, they may feel validated and motivated to adopt stronger stances.

This effect can be explained by various social psychological principles, such as conformity, persuasive arguments, and social comparison. In a group setting, individuals are exposed to a range of arguments that tend to support the prevailing view, which can enhance their commitment and lead to a more unified, yet extreme, perspective.

In contrast, groupthink involves a tendency for group members to prioritize consensus over critical evaluation, which can lead to poor decision-making. The cascading effect typically refers to a situation where one person's behavior influences the behavior of others, but it does not specifically address the intensification of opinions. A judgment shift is a vague concept, lacking the distinct characteristics associated with group polarization. Hence, the best description of the effect whereby a group's opinions become more extreme after discussion is group polarization.