After a group of gang members learned that their friend had died in a seemingly random accident, several of the friends started blaming a rival gang for the death. Even though there was no evidence whatsoever that the death had been intentional, the more the gang members talked, the more passionate they became in their belief that an act of revenge was necessary. What concept from social psychology may contribute to an act of violent revenge in this case? A) social influence B) prosocial behavior C) altruism D) groupthink

The concept from social psychology that may contribute to an act of violent revenge in this case is D) groupthink.

• Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people when the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. The members of the group try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints, often leading to irrational actions.
• In the scenario described, the gang members are likely to be experiencing groupthink as they collectively come to a shared belief that a rival gang was responsible for their friend's death, even though there is no evidence to support this claim. The desire for solidarity and loyalty among the gang members can overshadow rational thinking, and the group may not adequately consider the consequences of their actions. The need for retribution is amplified by the communal belief, leading to a heightened risk of violence.