As individuals express stronger negative feelings toward a program after discussing it, this outcome exemplifies which social phenomenon?

• A. Group polarization
• B. Social facilitation
• C. Peer pressure
• D. Deindividuation

Answer: (A)

The situation described illustrates group polarization, which is a phenomenon where a group's prevailing attitudes or opinions become more extreme after group discussion. In this case, as individuals articulate their negative feelings about a program, their sentiments become amplified, leading to a stronger collective disapproval. This can occur because of several factors, such as individuals wanting to align with others' opinions or the reinforcement of negative feelings through shared discourse.

Group polarization can sometimes be observed in various settings, such as political discussions, social groups, or even online forums, where discussions can lead to more extreme positions than any individual member might hold alone. Therefore, the stronger negative feelings that arise after discussing the program exemplify this process of group polarization, demonstrating how social interactions can influence personal beliefs and attitudes.

Other options do not reflect the same dynamic. For example, social facilitation refers to the tendency for individuals to perform better on simple tasks in the presence of others, while peer pressure relates to the influence exerted by a group that encourages or discourages certain behaviors. Deindividuation involves a loss of self-awareness in group contexts, which is not relevant to the amplification of negative feelings through discussion.