Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:

Just as individuals compare themselves with others in terms of similarities and differences with respect to what they have and what others have, individuals also compare the group they belong to with groups of which they are not a member.

It has been found that groups are more likely to take extreme decisions than individuals alone. Suppose there is an employee who has been caught taking a bribe or engaging in some other unethical act. His/her colleagues are asked to decide what punishment he/she should be given.

They may let him/her go scot-free or decide to terminate his/her services instead of imposing a punishment which may commensurate with the unethical act he/she had engaged in. Whatever the initial position in the group, this position becomes much stronger as a result of discussions and interaction in the group.

Q) Identify the correct statements in reference to the influence of group on individual behavior:

(A) Individuals are more likely to take extreme decisions than the group.

(B) When you find others favouring your opinion, you feel that your view is being validated by the public

(C) When you find people having similar views, you are likely to perceive them as in-group and as a consequence your views get strengthened.

(D) Groups are more likely to take extreme decisions than individuals alone.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct option is (B), (C) and (D) only.

Let us analyze the given statements step-by-step with reference to the provided passage and social psychology principles concerning group influence on individual behavior:

1. Analysis of Statement (A) and (D):
The passage explicitly states: "groups are more likely to take extreme decisions than individuals alone."
Therefore, statement (D) is correct because it directly matches the passage text. Conversely, statement (A), which claims that individuals are more likely to take extreme decisions than the group, is incorrect as it directly contradicts the text and the concept of group polarization.

2. Analysis of Statement (B):
During group discussions, when an individual discovers that others share and support their opinion, it provides social validation. This validation makes the individual feel that their view is correct, which strengthens and intensifies their original stance. Thus, statement (B) is a correct explanation of how group interaction validates and strengthens individual opinions.

3. Analysis of Statement (C):
When group members find that they share similar views, they tend to identify more strongly with one another as an "in-group". This perceived alignment leads to group polarization, where the initial shared position becomes much stronger through mutual reinforcement. Thus, statement (C) is correct.

Conclusion:
Statements (B), (C), and (D) are correct, while statement (A) is incorrect.