What phenomenon occurs when a group makes more extreme decisions than the individuals would make alone?

The phenomenon where a group makes more extreme decisions than the individuals would independently make is known as group polarization. This occurs because individuals in a group often reinforce each other's opinions, leading to a stronger collective stance on an issue. As members discuss their views, they may become increasingly convinced of their position, pushing the overall decision further toward an extreme.

This effect can be attributed to several factors, including the desire for social conformity, the influence of dominant personalities within the group, and the tendency to hear only reinforcing arguments as individuals share their perspectives. Ultimately, the group dynamic encourages a shift towards more radical or extreme viewpoints compared to what might have been decided in isolation.

The other options describe different concepts: escalation of commitment refers to the increased commitment to a failing course of action, the Abilene paradox describes situations where a group collectively decides on something contrary to the preferences of its individual members, and groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group leads to irrational or dysfunctional outcomes. These concepts do not directly address the idea of making more extreme decisions collectively compared to individual judgments.