Discuss the differences between groupthink and group polarization, providing examples of each.

Groupthink occurs when one or more group members feel pressured to conform tothe group's decision even if they personally disagree. A famous example is the Challenger explosion. NASA was warned by their subcontractor that cold temperatures on the day of the launch could threaten a crucial part of the shuttle. NASA placed pressure on the subcontractor engineers to conform to their desire for a launch. The engineers finally agreed, and the result was a disaster.Group polarization refers to the factthat a group is more likely to move toward a more extreme position than the group members might have done individually. A teenager getting behind the wheel of a car, for instance, might not entertain thoughts of drag racing. However, the presence of friends and the resulting thrill and camaraderie might convince the teenager to engage in what he or she would normally consider a dangerous behavior not worth the risk. Students' answers on examples will vary.​