Groupthink

Definition

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony and conformity within a group leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making. It occurs when group members prioritize consensus over critical analysis, which can result in poor decisions as alternative viewpoints and dissenting opinions are suppressed. This phenomenon is often intensified in cohesive groups and can significantly impact decision-making processes, social interactions, and overall cognitive functioning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Groupthink can lead to flawed decision-making processes, as members may overlook potential risks and ignore important information.
2. Symptoms of groupthink include an illusion of invulnerability, collective rationalization, and self-censorship among group members.
3. High cohesiveness within a group often fosters an environment conducive to groupthink, making dissent more difficult.
4. Promoting open communication and encouraging diverse perspectives can help mitigate the risks of groupthink.
5. Historical examples of groupthink include the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Challenger disaster, both of which resulted from a failure to consider alternative viewpoints.

Review Questions

• How does cohesiveness within a group contribute to the emergence of groupthink?
  • Cohesiveness can significantly contribute to the emergence of groupthink by fostering an environment where members feel pressured to conform and prioritize consensus over critical thinking. In highly cohesive groups, individuals may suppress their dissenting opinions to maintain harmony and avoid conflict. This dynamic creates a feedback loop where the desire for agreement becomes stronger than the need for thorough evaluation of ideas and options.
• Discuss the symptoms of groupthink and how they can lead to poor decision-making outcomes.
  • Symptoms of groupthink include an illusion of invulnerability, collective rationalization, belief in the inherent morality of the group, and self-censorship among members. These symptoms prevent individuals from voicing concerns or considering alternative solutions. As a result, the group may make decisions that overlook significant risks or fail to fully assess the consequences, ultimately leading to flawed outcomes that could have been avoided with more rigorous analysis.
• Evaluate historical instances where groupthink played a role in major decision-making failures and discuss their implications.
  • Historical instances like the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Challenger disaster illustrate how groupthink can lead to catastrophic failures. In both cases, decision-makers disregarded warnings and dissenting opinions due to high levels of cohesiveness and a desire for consensus. The implications are profound, as these events highlight the need for encouraging diverse perspectives and critical evaluation in decision-making processes. Understanding these failures reinforces the importance of creating an environment where dissent is welcomed and considered essential for effective decision-making.

Related terms

Cohesiveness: Cohesiveness refers to the degree to which group members are attracted to each other and motivated to stay in the group, often increasing the likelihood of groupthink.

Escalation of Commitment: Escalation of commitment is a behavioral finance concept where individuals or groups continue to invest in a failing course of action due to previous investments, often seen in conjunction with groupthink.

Decision-Making: Decision-making is the cognitive process of choosing between two or more alternatives, which can be negatively affected by groupthink as it limits critical evaluation of options.