Group polarization isn't always easy to detect, so it often goes unnoticed—particularly by the people who might be most affected by it. Learning how to recognize it can be helpful, however, since it allows you to see how social influences might be influencing your decisions.

While looking for these signs can help you better recognize the signs of group polarization, it is important to remember that all groups are different. Sometimes, you might spot many of these signs. In other cases, the shift in group opinion might be so gradual and subtle that detecting it is almost impossible.

As a result, Fakorzi explains, people often gravitate toward like-minded individuals who offer a sense of camaraderie and belonging. This can reduce conflict and distress, but it can further deepen polarization.

Characters in this play also contrast each other. Romeo and Juliet, though both are lovers, are different too. Romeo is impulsive and dependent, while Juliet is organized, brave and practical. Montague’s marriage is successful, while Capulet’s is not. Along with a steady contrast in characters, we notice contrasts in mood, theme, and action of the play as well.Function of ContrastWriters address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

In the first five lines of this poem, Shakespeare employs a number of contrasts to lay emphasis on his beloved’s qualities. He contrasts her with the sun, coral, snow, and wire. Simply, he wants to convey the idea that, while his woman is not extraordinary, she is substantial.Example #3: A Tale of Two Cities (By Charles Dickens)Charles Dickens, in the very first chapter of his novel A Tale of Two Cities, presents a sweeping background of events and forces, which shape the characters’ lives later on. In the first paragraph, he begins to share a dual theme, as he compares and contrasts the ideas of “best” and “worst” of times, “light” and “darkness,” and then “hope” and “despair.”These contrasting ideas reflect images of good and bad that would recur in situations and characters throughout the novel. Dickens makes contrast between two countries, England and France. Both countries experience very different and very similar situations simultaneously. The differences he compares are concepts of justice and spirituality in each country.Example #4: Romeo and Juliet (By William Shakespeare)William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is about contrasts of love and hate. This tragic play embodies these emotions in different ways, as we see a romance between two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whereas their families are at war and hate each other. However, their love forbids this war.Characters in this play also contrast each other. Romeo and Juliet, though both are lovers, are different too. Romeo is impulsive and dependent, while Juliet is organized, brave and practical. Montague’s marriage is successful, while Capulet’s is not. Along with a steady contrast in characters, we notice contrasts in mood, theme, and action of the play as well.Function of ContrastWriters address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

Expose yourself to opposing viewpoints. Maintain your friendships with people who disagree with you. Watch both FoxNews and MSNBC, at least a little. Engage with others on social media (but do it respectfully, of course). It keeps you from sliding off the edge (and helps you recognize the roar of the waterfall when it approaches).

Friedkin NE, Johnsen EC. Choice shift and group polarization. In: Social Influence Network Theory: A Sociological Examination of Small Group Dynamics. Structural Analysis in the Social Sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2011:211-232. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511976735.010

Group polarization is a psychological phenomenon in which the beliefs, attitudes, and decisions of groups tend to be more amplified or more extreme than those held by individual group members.

Because group members share similar ideas, they only share information and interact in ways that reinforce the group's opinion.

While these two terms are related, they are distinct concepts. Group polarization always involves a choice shift, but a choice shift can occur without group polarization.

In this example, Russell presents a point-by-point contrast between two persons, Vladimir Lenin – a Russian communist revolutionary, and William Gladstone – a British Liberal politician. By the end, the author expresses his favor for Gladstone over Lenin.Example #2: Sonnet 130 (By William Shakespeare)“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.I have seen roses damasked, red and white,But no such roses see I in her cheeks …”In the first five lines of this poem, Shakespeare employs a number of contrasts to lay emphasis on his beloved’s qualities. He contrasts her with the sun, coral, snow, and wire. Simply, he wants to convey the idea that, while his woman is not extraordinary, she is substantial.Example #3: A Tale of Two Cities (By Charles Dickens)Charles Dickens, in the very first chapter of his novel A Tale of Two Cities, presents a sweeping background of events and forces, which shape the characters’ lives later on. In the first paragraph, he begins to share a dual theme, as he compares and contrasts the ideas of “best” and “worst” of times, “light” and “darkness,” and then “hope” and “despair.”These contrasting ideas reflect images of good and bad that would recur in situations and characters throughout the novel. Dickens makes contrast between two countries, England and France. Both countries experience very different and very similar situations simultaneously. The differences he compares are concepts of justice and spirituality in each country.Example #4: Romeo and Juliet (By William Shakespeare)William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is about contrasts of love and hate. This tragic play embodies these emotions in different ways, as we see a romance between two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whereas their families are at war and hate each other. However, their love forbids this war.Characters in this play also contrast each other. Romeo and Juliet, though both are lovers, are different too. Romeo is impulsive and dependent, while Juliet is organized, brave and practical. Montague’s marriage is successful, while Capulet’s is not. Along with a steady contrast in characters, we notice contrasts in mood, theme, and action of the play as well.Function of ContrastWriters address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

The need to maintain a social identity and fitting in with the rest of the group can also contribute to group polarization. When it seems like the rest of the group holds a certain viewpoint, people may then feel compelled to shift their own ideas in order to identify with the group and achieve a sense of belonging.

Social psychologists have proposed a few different ideas to explain why group polarization takes place, including social network influence theory, for example. This theory focuses on the role of social relationships in communicating information that leads to behavior and attitude changes.

Group members naturally interact and discuss what matters to them individually and collectively. These interactions lead people to encounter persuasive arguments that can help reinforce their current beliefs.

Group polarization is also sometimes confused with groupthink, a social phenomenon in which people strive to obtain group consensus. While the two both involve processes that influence the group, there are important distinctions.

“Polarization is normal. It’s not the enemy, and it can have good effects, such as believing in your team, strengthening faith, building up identity, and energizing a group,” Crandall says.  “But if you spend all your time listening only to FoxNews/The Blaze/OAN or Pacifica/Democracy Now!/The Palmer Report, you won’t know what the majority of Americans think.”

Individuals may gravitate toward the beliefs of a group to gain acceptance and identify with a community. For many, the sense of belonging is incredibly important to their feelings of worth, purpose, and acceptance.

Contrast comes from the Latin word, contra stare, meaning to stand against. Usually, though not always, writers use phrases and words to indicate a contrast such as but, yet, however, instead, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary, and unlike. for instance, E. B. White, in his novel Stuart Little, brings a contrast between Stuart and other babies, using the word unlike:“Unlike most babies, Stuart could walk as soon as he was born.”Types of ContrastPoint-by-point Contrast – In this type of contrast, writers deal with a series of features of two subjects, and then present their contrast, discussing all points successively.Subject-by-subject Contrast – In this type of contrast, a writer first discusses one subject thoroughly, and then moves on to another.Examples of Contrast in LiteratureExample #1: Eminent Men I Have Known, Unpopular Essays (By Bertrand Russell)“To begin with the differences: Lenin was cruel, which Gladstone was not; Lenin had no respect for tradition, whereas Gladstone had a great deal; Lenin considered all means legitimate for securing the victory of his party, whereas for Gladstone politics was a game with certain rules that must be observed. All these differences, to my mind, are to the advantage of Gladstone, and accordingly Gladstone on the whole had beneficent effects, while Lenin’s effects were disastrous.”In this example, Russell presents a point-by-point contrast between two persons, Vladimir Lenin – a Russian communist revolutionary, and William Gladstone – a British Liberal politician. By the end, the author expresses his favor for Gladstone over Lenin.Example #2: Sonnet 130 (By William Shakespeare)“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.I have seen roses damasked, red and white,But no such roses see I in her cheeks …”In the first five lines of this poem, Shakespeare employs a number of contrasts to lay emphasis on his beloved’s qualities. He contrasts her with the sun, coral, snow, and wire. Simply, he wants to convey the idea that, while his woman is not extraordinary, she is substantial.Example #3: A Tale of Two Cities (By Charles Dickens)Charles Dickens, in the very first chapter of his novel A Tale of Two Cities, presents a sweeping background of events and forces, which shape the characters’ lives later on. In the first paragraph, he begins to share a dual theme, as he compares and contrasts the ideas of “best” and “worst” of times, “light” and “darkness,” and then “hope” and “despair.”These contrasting ideas reflect images of good and bad that would recur in situations and characters throughout the novel. Dickens makes contrast between two countries, England and France. Both countries experience very different and very similar situations simultaneously. The differences he compares are concepts of justice and spirituality in each country.Example #4: Romeo and Juliet (By William Shakespeare)William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is about contrasts of love and hate. This tragic play embodies these emotions in different ways, as we see a romance between two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whereas their families are at war and hate each other. However, their love forbids this war.Characters in this play also contrast each other. Romeo and Juliet, though both are lovers, are different too. Romeo is impulsive and dependent, while Juliet is organized, brave and practical. Montague’s marriage is successful, while Capulet’s is not. Along with a steady contrast in characters, we notice contrasts in mood, theme, and action of the play as well.Function of ContrastWriters address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

This can lead people to re-evaluate their perspective and, in many cases, shift their attitudes toward these more extreme viewpoints.

“To begin with the differences: Lenin was cruel, which Gladstone was not; Lenin had no respect for tradition, whereas Gladstone had a great deal; Lenin considered all means legitimate for securing the victory of his party, whereas for Gladstone politics was a game with certain rules that must be observed. All these differences, to my mind, are to the advantage of Gladstone, and accordingly Gladstone on the whole had beneficent effects, while Lenin’s effects were disastrous.”

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Define contrastin art

“With more interaction being digital and internet-based, there is a distance/disconnect that may also diminish the human connection,” she explains. “People will tend to do and say more via the internet than they would do or say to someone in person.”

Define contrastin science

However, while it has long been suggested that social media plays a role in causing polarization, research on the topic has been mixed. One study called this assumption into question, instead finding that polarization may play a role in increased social media use. However, the authors of the study note that the relationship between social media and polarization is complex and varied.

William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is about contrasts of love and hate. This tragic play embodies these emotions in different ways, as we see a romance between two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whereas their families are at war and hate each other. However, their love forbids this war.Characters in this play also contrast each other. Romeo and Juliet, though both are lovers, are different too. Romeo is impulsive and dependent, while Juliet is organized, brave and practical. Montague’s marriage is successful, while Capulet’s is not. Along with a steady contrast in characters, we notice contrasts in mood, theme, and action of the play as well.Function of ContrastWriters address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

Incontrastsynonym

According to this theory, the choice shifts that lead to group polarization can be caused by social comparison, persuasive arguments, social identity, informational influence, and diffusion of responsibility.

"If there is strong segregation by attitudes, then there is no opportunity to hear alternative views.  When like-minded people cut themselves off from dissent, they are likely to create an echo chamber that leads to extremity," says Chris Crandall, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Kansas.

In group settings, encourage people to use critical thinking skills. Before jumping to conclusions or making hasty decisions, discuss what you can do as a group to ensure you have all the information you need to make an accurate decision.

And the reality is that, in many cases, you probably won’t be able to detect it at all. Crandall explains that polarization seems very normal. Like-minded people who discuss their ideas emerge from such interactions feeling very confident in their positions.

The key is not to lose touch with people different from yourself. Fakorzi also suggests that maintaining connections with people from other walks of life is essential.

When making choices, it can be helpful to use a structured process that helps ensure you are pausing to reflect on your own motivations and the social influences that might be involved. This process involves looking at the facts, considering situational factors, and reflecting on what information you might not have.

Contrastexamples

Charles Dickens, in the very first chapter of his novel A Tale of Two Cities, presents a sweeping background of events and forces, which shape the characters’ lives later on. In the first paragraph, he begins to share a dual theme, as he compares and contrasts the ideas of “best” and “worst” of times, “light” and “darkness,” and then “hope” and “despair.”These contrasting ideas reflect images of good and bad that would recur in situations and characters throughout the novel. Dickens makes contrast between two countries, England and France. Both countries experience very different and very similar situations simultaneously. The differences he compares are concepts of justice and spirituality in each country.Example #4: Romeo and Juliet (By William Shakespeare)William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is about contrasts of love and hate. This tragic play embodies these emotions in different ways, as we see a romance between two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whereas their families are at war and hate each other. However, their love forbids this war.Characters in this play also contrast each other. Romeo and Juliet, though both are lovers, are different too. Romeo is impulsive and dependent, while Juliet is organized, brave and practical. Montague’s marriage is successful, while Capulet’s is not. Along with a steady contrast in characters, we notice contrasts in mood, theme, and action of the play as well.Function of ContrastWriters address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

Essentially, the collective opinion of the group is magnified, which can lead to more extreme viewpoints than those that individual members of the group actually hold.

It is important to intentionally seek out differing perspectives and points of view. This can involve talking to people from other backgrounds and inviting diverse viewpoints to contribute to discussions. By listening to multiple points of view, groups are more likely to get a fuller, more nuanced view of the needs, beliefs, and experiences of group members.

Fakorzi also notes that decreased in-person interaction can make it easier for people to disregard the effects of intolerance for other points of view.

Interactions with other people can play a part, but the impact of social media and political news can intensify these beliefs. This polarization leads to increased partisanship and more extreme policy positions.

Search and social media algorithms can play a role in amplifying group polarization in online communities. Because algorithms show people content based on their previous engagements and preferences, they are more likely to see and engage with content that aligns with their current beliefs.

Nordbrandt M. Affective polarization in the digital age: Testing the direction of the relationship between social media and users’ feelings for out-group parties. New Media & Society. Published online September 19, 2021:146144482110443. doi:10.1177/14614448211044393

In many cases, such arguments play a role in strengthening a person's convictions or even making their original beliefs more extreme.

Group polarization has a number of significant implications.  It can increase conflicts, risky decision-making, and more extreme beliefs. Despite that, it isn’t always a bad thing.

Contrastadjective

"The approach to differences in any situation should be to understand the other person's point of view," she explains. "Listening with the goal of understanding is a mark of healthy and productive communication. Respecting others and allowing them to be without judgment is essential to the practice of tolerance."

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

The problem is that when people encounter others who don't share those experiences, they often find themselves having to defend their viewpoints. This can be a difficult and even stressful experience for some people.

The way that group polarization manifests depends on various factors, including the nature of the attitude, the characteristics of the group, and the forces contributing to the overall choice shift.

Understanding and spotting group polarization can also help you to have more constructive discussions with others in the group, which may help you make better choices.

Nimmon L, Artino AR Jr, Varpio L. Social network theory in interprofessional education: Revealing hidden power. J Grad Med Educ. 2019;11(3):247-250. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-19-00253.1

Contrastmeaning in Hindi

These contrasting ideas reflect images of good and bad that would recur in situations and characters throughout the novel. Dickens makes contrast between two countries, England and France. Both countries experience very different and very similar situations simultaneously. The differences he compares are concepts of justice and spirituality in each country.Example #4: Romeo and Juliet (By William Shakespeare)William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is about contrasts of love and hate. This tragic play embodies these emotions in different ways, as we see a romance between two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whereas their families are at war and hate each other. However, their love forbids this war.Characters in this play also contrast each other. Romeo and Juliet, though both are lovers, are different too. Romeo is impulsive and dependent, while Juliet is organized, brave and practical. Montague’s marriage is successful, while Capulet’s is not. Along with a steady contrast in characters, we notice contrasts in mood, theme, and action of the play as well.Function of ContrastWriters address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

“You come back next time, more confident, sharing more new arguments, seeing each other as 'correct' about issues, and the extremity grows pretty naturally.  Will you notice it? Probably not,” Crandall explains.

Incontrastin a sentence

As people become increasingly polarized, they are also more likely to only seek out information that confirms their beliefs. When people are only exposed to one perspective, they become increasingly entrenched in their positions.

Extremist groups and cults can provide an avenue for group polarization to grow. Because people in these groups often isolate themselves from people with other perspectives, they are constantly surrounded by those who share the same beliefs.

Group polarization involves a phenomenon known as a choice shift. Choice shift means that after group interaction, the mean attitude of the group changes from the initial attitude. Group polarization happens when this choice shift involves an intensification of that initial attitude.

Contrastin English

Contrast is a rhetorical device through which writers identify differences between two subjects, places, persons, things, or ideas. Simply, it is a type of opposition between two objects, highlighted to emphasize their differences.Contrast comes from the Latin word, contra stare, meaning to stand against. Usually, though not always, writers use phrases and words to indicate a contrast such as but, yet, however, instead, in contrast, nevertheless, on the contrary, and unlike. for instance, E. B. White, in his novel Stuart Little, brings a contrast between Stuart and other babies, using the word unlike:“Unlike most babies, Stuart could walk as soon as he was born.”Types of ContrastPoint-by-point Contrast – In this type of contrast, writers deal with a series of features of two subjects, and then present their contrast, discussing all points successively.Subject-by-subject Contrast – In this type of contrast, a writer first discusses one subject thoroughly, and then moves on to another.Examples of Contrast in LiteratureExample #1: Eminent Men I Have Known, Unpopular Essays (By Bertrand Russell)“To begin with the differences: Lenin was cruel, which Gladstone was not; Lenin had no respect for tradition, whereas Gladstone had a great deal; Lenin considered all means legitimate for securing the victory of his party, whereas for Gladstone politics was a game with certain rules that must be observed. All these differences, to my mind, are to the advantage of Gladstone, and accordingly Gladstone on the whole had beneficent effects, while Lenin’s effects were disastrous.”In this example, Russell presents a point-by-point contrast between two persons, Vladimir Lenin – a Russian communist revolutionary, and William Gladstone – a British Liberal politician. By the end, the author expresses his favor for Gladstone over Lenin.Example #2: Sonnet 130 (By William Shakespeare)“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.I have seen roses damasked, red and white,But no such roses see I in her cheeks …”In the first five lines of this poem, Shakespeare employs a number of contrasts to lay emphasis on his beloved’s qualities. He contrasts her with the sun, coral, snow, and wire. Simply, he wants to convey the idea that, while his woman is not extraordinary, she is substantial.Example #3: A Tale of Two Cities (By Charles Dickens)Charles Dickens, in the very first chapter of his novel A Tale of Two Cities, presents a sweeping background of events and forces, which shape the characters’ lives later on. In the first paragraph, he begins to share a dual theme, as he compares and contrasts the ideas of “best” and “worst” of times, “light” and “darkness,” and then “hope” and “despair.”These contrasting ideas reflect images of good and bad that would recur in situations and characters throughout the novel. Dickens makes contrast between two countries, England and France. Both countries experience very different and very similar situations simultaneously. The differences he compares are concepts of justice and spirituality in each country.Example #4: Romeo and Juliet (By William Shakespeare)William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet is about contrasts of love and hate. This tragic play embodies these emotions in different ways, as we see a romance between two young lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whereas their families are at war and hate each other. However, their love forbids this war.Characters in this play also contrast each other. Romeo and Juliet, though both are lovers, are different too. Romeo is impulsive and dependent, while Juliet is organized, brave and practical. Montague’s marriage is successful, while Capulet’s is not. Along with a steady contrast in characters, we notice contrasts in mood, theme, and action of the play as well.Function of ContrastWriters address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

Fakorzi notes that polarization tends to intensify conflicts by reducing the acceptance of alternative ideas. She suggests making an effort to understand where other people are coming from to reduce friction and the effects of polarization.

“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.I have seen roses damasked, red and white,But no such roses see I in her cheeks …”

People often evaluate the accuracy of their own beliefs by comparing them to other people in the group. This can be a problem, however, if a person finds that their own ideas diverge from those of the group.

When people participate in a group, they often feel less of a sense of personal responsibility for the outcome. Because the decisions and outcomes feel less personal, people are often more willing to make riskier, more extreme choices than they would if they were making such decisions independently.

In online communities, people often engage with others who share similar interests and beliefs. The anonymity of the internet also contributes to people sharing more extreme opinions, which are then amplified by others in the group.

Writers address a number of features and characteristics of two subjects, persons, places, and events by contrasting them from one point to another. While the major purpose of contrast is to elucidate ideas and clear their meanings, readers can easily understand through this device what is going to happen next. Through opposite and contrasting ideas, writers make their arguments stronger, thus making them more memorable for readers due to emphasis placed on them. In addition, contrasting ideas shock the audience, heighten drama, and produce balanced structures in literary works.Related posts:Comparison and Contrast Essay

Given the divisiveness of American politics, it is perhaps not surprising to learn that group polarization can also affect political affiliation and contribute to extremist positions within political parties.

Various factors contribute to group polarization. "Strong feelings about a particular topic, moral or ethical, or political stance can lead to polarization," explains Seli Fakorzi, MA, LPC-S, the Director of Mental Health Operations at TimelyCare. The reasons people become so passionate about a particular topic can vary, but Fakorzi suggests that this emotional attachment often stems from their lived experiences.

People may be susceptible to the effects of polarization during times when they are searching for a sense of belonging and community, such as when they first move away from home to go to college. Becoming connected to a community and gaining that sense of connection is an essential part of building a strong support system that is vital for positive mental well-being.

It can be helpful to encourage active listening and empathy. Try to understand other people's experiences and perspectives. Empathy allows members of the group to consider alternative viewpoints and work towards finding common ground rather than reinforcing extreme positions.

Interactions within the group also contribute to the transmission of information. As a result, people are exposed to arguments and ideas that they would otherwise not encounter.