Gruppen-Polarisierung

When people socially interact in like-minded groups, their pre-existing beliefs and attitudes may be intensified.

For instance, in a student environmental club meeting, the members share their opinions. After the conversation, everyone walks away with reinforced views supporting their initial opinions, which unites the kindred spirits.

This phenomenon—called group polarization—occurs when deliberating group members align towards an extreme end in the same direction that they were already inclined.

With a rise in social media sites, people can more easily isolate themselves from alternative perspectives into a network of extremism. As the person gets deeper and deeper into the dark web, their ideas become amplified within the group, and more violent messages can result.

In the end, the power of like-minded networks can be harnessed for good and evil.