When you find others also favoring capital punishment, you feel that your favorable view on capital punishment is validated by the public. This is an example of:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Bandwagon effect
Option (1) Social facilitation — Incorrect. This is better performance in the presence of others, because their presence raises arousal. It concerns how well a task is done, not how a view is confirmed.
Option (2) Bandwagon effect — Correct. It is the feeling that a view must be right because many others hold it. When you find others also favouring capital punishment, you feel your view is validated by the public, and it grows firmer. It is one of the three reasons for group polarisation, the tendency of a like-minded group to take a more extreme position after discussion.
Option (3) Hasty generalization — Incorrect. This is a faulty conclusion drawn from too few cases, a fault of reasoning. It does not describe gaining confidence from the support of others.
Option (4) Conformity — Incorrect. Conformity means changing one’s behaviour to follow the group’s norm. In the question your view does not change to fit the group; it already agrees and only feels confirmed. Conformity is the third reason for polarisation, which comes in when like-minded people are seen as an ingroup.
Note 1: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 31-05-2026 (Slot 1).
Note 2: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 15-06-2023 (Slot 3) and 22-06-2023 (Slot 3), and in CUET (UG) 2025 on 16-05-2025 (Slot 1), 20-05-2025 (Slot 1) and 28-05-2025 (Slot 1).
NCERT (2025-26): “Group Polarisation … Suppose you favour capital punishment for heinous crimes, what would happen if you were interacting with and discussing this issue with like-minded people? After this interaction, your views may become stronger. This firm conviction is because of the following three reasons:
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