Groupthink

Overview & Description:

Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints.

Key Points:

1. Symptoms: Includes the illusion of invulnerability, collective rationalization, belief in inherent morality, and self-censorship among others.
2. Causes: Factors like group cohesion, isolated groups, directive leadership, and lack of systematic procedures can lead to groupthink.
3. Famous Examples: The Bay of Pigs invasion and the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster are often cited in relation to groupthink.

Implications:

1. Decision Making: Critical decisions can be flawed if groupthink is not identified and countered.
2. Organizational Management: Leaders and managers need to be aware of groupthink and encourage diverse opinions.

References:

• Janis, I. L. (1982). Groupthink: Psychological studies of policy decisions and fiascoes. Houghton Mifflin.

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