How to cure groupthink?
The first, traditionally labeled symptoms of groupthink, include illusions of invulnerability, collective rationalization, stereotypes of outgroups, self-censorship, mind guards, and belief in the inherent morality of the group.
What are the characteristics of groupthink?
Dec 29, 2020 · Here are a few of the symptoms of groupthink: Self-censorship: Individuals in a team will remain quiet about views that are contrary to the ideas and decisions the group has decided on. Collective rationalization: Team members won’t reconsider their beliefs and they will ignore warning signs.
What are common results of groupthink?
Feb 12, 2013 · While groupthink can generate consensus, it is by definition a negative phenomenon that results in faulty or uninformed thinking and decision-making. Some of the problems it can cause include: Blindness to potentially negative outcomes Failure to listen to people with dissenting opinions Lack of creativity
What is groupthink in psychology?
Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when a group of well-intentioned people makes irrational or non-optimal decisions spurred by the urge …
What is groupthink and its symptoms?
The eight symptoms of groupthink include an illusion of invulnerability or of the inability to be wrong, the collective rationalization of the group's decisions, an unquestioned belief in the morality of the group and its choices, stereotyping of the relevant opponents or out-group members, and the presence of “ ...
What are the 4 symptoms of groupthink?
Symptoms of GroupthinkRationalization: This is when team members convince themselves that despite evidence to the contrary, the decision or alternative being presented is the best one. ... Peer Pressure: ... Complacency: ... Moral High Ground: ... Stereotyping: ... Censorship: ... Illusion of Unanimity:
What are two characteristics of groupthink?
Characteristics of GroupthinkDenial of vulnerability – group members may not be willing to acknowledge their own fallibility or vulnerability.Rationalization of decisions to minimize objections.Belief in the absolute goodness of the group.More items...•Aug 7, 2015
What are some examples of groupthink?
For example, some real world examples of groupthink include:The Bay of Pigs invasion. ... The bombing of Pearl Harbor. ... The collapse of Swissair. ... The mass resignation of the Major League Umpires Association.
What is meant by groupthink?
What Is Groupthink? Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when a group of individuals reaches a consensus without critical reasoning or evaluation of the consequences or alternatives. Groupthink is based on a common desire not to upset the balance of a group of people.
Which of the following are symptoms of groupthink select all that apply?
Groupthink can be diagnosed or observed when most or all of the following symptoms are present: "(a) Illusion of invulnerability (b) Belief in inherent morality of the group (c) Collective rationalization (d) Stereotypes of outgroups (e) Direct pressure on dissenters (f) Self-censorship (g) Illusion of unanimity (h) ...
What are five characteristics of groupthink?
The characteristics of groupthink - Organisational Behaviour Illusion of invulnerability. Collective rationalization. Unquestioned belief. Stereotypical views.
What is another word for groupthink?
herd mentalityIt's also known as herd mentality or groupthink, where we assume an action is appropriate because others are performing it.
What is groupthink in psychology quizlet?
groupthink. the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.
What is groupthink in sociology quizlet?
groupthink. self deceptive thinking that is based on conformity to a group, beliefs,and created by group pressure to conform. asch's study.
What are in groups in sociology?
In sociology and social psychology, an in-group is a social group to which a person psychologically identifies as being a member. By contrast, an out-group is a social group with which an individual does not identify.
Is groupthink one word or two?
the practice of approaching problems or issues as matters that are best dealt with by consensus of a group rather than by individuals acting independently; conformity.
What causes groupthink?
Groups that prioritize their group identity and behave coldly toward “outsiders” may be more likely to fall victim to groupthink. Organizations in...
Why can groupthink be dangerous?
Even in minor cases, groupthink triggers decisions that aren’t ideal or that ignore critical information. In highly consequential domains—like pol...
Can groupthink ever be positive?
Groupthink, by definition, results in a decision that is irrational or dangerous. It is possible, however, for teams to make decisions harmoniously...
Are groupthink and conformity the same thing?
Groupthink and conformity are related but distinct concepts. Groupthink specifically refers to a process of decision-making; it can be motivated by...
What are some major examples of groupthink?
Risky or disastrous military maneuvers, such as the escalation of the Vietnam War or the invasion of Iraq, are commonly cited as instances of group...
What are the symptoms of groupthink?
Individual members of the group self-censoring —especially if they fear being shunned or derided for speaking their mind—is one potential sign th...
What’s the best way to avoid groupthink?
Since groupthink often occurs because group members fear disagreeing with the leader , it can be beneficial for the leader to temporarily step ba...
Why is it good to allow dissent?
Healthy dissent has been linked to more creative thinking and ultimately greater innovation within organizations . Asking one person to deliberate...
Does diversity guard against groupthink?
Diversity—both demographic diversity and diversity of thought— has been shown to reduce the possibility of groupthink . Group members’ different ba...
Summary
Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. Cohesiveness, or the desire for cohesiveness, in a group may produce a tendency among its members to agree at all costs. This causes the group to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation.
Overview
Groupthink is sometimes stated to occur (more broadly) within natural groups within the community, for example to explain the lifelong different mindsets of those with differing political views (such as "conservatism" and "liberalism" in the U.S. political context or the purported benefits of team work vs. work conducted in solitude). However, this conformity of viewpoints within a group does not mainly involve deliberate group decision-making, and might be better ex…
History
William H. Whyte Jr. derived the term from George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, and popularized it in 1952 in Fortune magazine:
Groupthink being a coinage – and, admittedly, a loaded one – a working definition is in order. We are not talking about mere instinctive conformity – it is, after all, a perennial failing of mankind. What we are talking about is a rationali…
Symptoms
To make groupthink testable, Irving Janis devised eight symptoms indicative of groupthink:
Type I: Overestimations of the group — its power and morality
• Illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking.
• Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions.
Causes
Irving Janis identified three antecedent conditions to groupthink:
1. high group cohesiveness: Cohesiveness is the main factor that leads to groupthink. Groups that lack cohesiveness can of course make bad decisions, but they do not experience groupthink. In a cohesive group, members avoid speaking out against decisions, avoid arguing with others, and work towards maintaining friendly relationships in the group. If cohesiveness gets to such a leve…
Prevention
As observed by Aldag and Fuller (1993), the groupthink phenomenon seems to rest on a set of unstated and generally restrictive assumptions:
• The purpose of group problem solving is mainly to improve decision quality
• Group problem solving is considered a rational process.
Empirical findings and meta-analysis
Testing groupthink in a laboratory is difficult because synthetic settings remove groups from real social situations, which ultimately changes the variables conducive or inhibitive to groupthink. Because of its subjective nature, researchers have struggled to measure groupthink as a complete phenomenon, instead frequently opting to measure its particular factors. These factors range from causal to effectual and focus on group and situational aspects.
Case studies
Groupthink can have a strong hold on political decisions and military operations, which may result in enormous wastage of human and material resources. Highly qualified and experienced politicians and military commanders sometimes make very poor decisions when in a suboptimal group setting. Scholars such as Janis and Raven attribute political and military fiascoes, such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal, to the effect of groupthink…