Original Articles

Group Polarization Effects on Decisions by Selected Kenyan Secondary School Disciplinary Panels

Published in: Journal of Psychology in Africa
Volume 23 , issue 2 , 2013 , pages: 275–282

DOI: 10.1080/14330237.2013.10820624

Author(s): Peter J. O. Aloka Catholic University of Eastern Africa, , Olaniyi Bojuwoye University of the Western Cape,

Keywords: decision making , disciplinary hearings , group polarization , Kenyan secondary schools , persuasive arguments , student behavior

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Abstract

This study investigated social group phenomenon of group polarization effects on disciplinary hearing decisions in selected Kenyan secondary school. The participants were 78 school personnel (females = 42 % and males 58%) from ten secondary schools with both unisex (n = 39) and co-educational schools (n = 39). Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. The results suggested group polarization effects in disciplinary hearing decisions, in that there were shifts from pre to post-disciplinary hearing decisions. Persuasive arguments and social comparisons significantly influenced group polarization decisions.

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