Groupthink

Groupthink isterm coined by psychologist Irving Janis1972describe one process by whichgroup can make bad or irrational decisions. Ingroupthink situation, each member ofgroup attemptsconform his or her opinionswhatbelievebeconsensus ofgroup. This results insituationwhichgroup ultimately agrees on an action which each member might normally considerbe unwise. See also: doublethink

Janis's original definition ofterm was "a modethinking that people engagewhen theydeeply involved incohesive in-group, whenmembers' strivingsunanimity override their motivationrealistically appraise alternative coursesaction." The term groupthink itselfreminiscentGeorge Orwell's Newspeak coinages, such as doublethinkduckspeak.

Groupthink tendsoccur on committeesin large organizations,is cited ascontributing factor inVietnam War, BayPigs Invasion,nuclear bombingHiroshima.

Signsgroupthink include:

• Examining few alternatives
• Not seeking expert opinion
• Being highly selectivegathering information (See confirmation bias)
• An illusioninvulnerability
• Strong beliefgroup's inherent morality
• Rationalizing poor decisions (See cognitive dissonance)
• Pressureconform within group; members withold criticisms
• Pressureprotect group from negative views or information
• Overt external or internal pressurecome todecision

One mechanism which management consultants recommendavoid groupthink isplace responsibilityauthority fordecision inhands ofsingle person who can turnothersadvice. Others advise thatpre-selected individual takeroledisagreeingany suggestion presented, thereby making other individuals more likelypresent their own ideaspoint out flawsothers' -reducingstigma associatedbeingfirsttake negative stances (see Devil's advocate). Finally, anonymous feedback via suggestion box or online chat has been foundbeuseful remedygroupthink - negative or dissenting viewsproposals can be raisedno individual being seendo so. Thussocial capital ofgrouppreserved, as every member has plausible deniability thatraiseddissenting point.

An alternativegroupthink isformal consensus decision making process, which works best ingroup whose aimscooperative rather than competitive, where trustablebuild up,where participantswillinglearnapply facilitation skills.

Resources

• Janis, Irving. VictimsGroupthink: A Psychological StudyForeign-Policy DecisionsFiascoes. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1972. ISBN 0395140447

• Schwartz, JohnWald, Matthew L. Smart People Working Collectively can be Dumber ThanSumtheir Brains: "Groupthink" Is 30 Years Old,Still Going Strong. New York Times, March 9, 2003 ( reprintedhttp://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2003/Smart-People-Dumber9mar03.htm ).

External links

• Article on Group think from MeatballWiki