I know I’ve even taken more extreme stances outwardly than I actually believed because I didn’t want to be outcast by my friend group.
Oddly enough when I became more comfortable to speak my mind in a non-threatening manor to those who trust me, I did get my close circle to show that they weren’t as extreme as they presented themselves either.
The internet (even pre-social media) is an exercise in group polarization, recursively and repeatedly.
100%
I know I’ve even taken more extreme stances outwardly than I actually believed because I didn’t want to be outcast by my friend group.
Oddly enough when I became more comfortable to speak my mind in a non-threatening manor to those who trust me, I did get my close circle to show that they weren’t as extreme as they presented themselves either.