Lauren is part of a committee deciding whether hiring procedures need to be changed at her organization. Prior to a meeting, a couple of conversations Lauren has with other committee members lead her to feel personally responsible for the outcome of the group's deliberations. Which of the following is MOST likely to be true? Lauren is likely to put forth less effort in helping the group make the decision. Lauren is likely to feel too uncomfortable to carry on her work. Lauren's opinion about what the group should do will get more extreme following the meeting. Lauren will prioritize effective decision making over group harmony.

When Lauren feels a personal stake in the committee's outcome, anxiety or pressure may impact her performance. Instead of feeling empowered, she might be inclined to suppress dissenting thoughts or ideas, ironically leading to less effective decision-making due to reluctance to share her true opinions. This psychological burden often manifests as a fear of conflict, which can stifle creative solutions or diverse perspectives during the group's deliberations. Additionally, this sense of responsibility can skew Lauren's views, causing her to double down on her original stance, especially if she senses that her opinions resonate with others. This phenomenon, known as group polarization, may result in her advocating for more extreme positions that reinforce her earlier beliefs, at the expense of a balanced discussion and consideration of all viewpoints.