Causes of Groupthink. There are several main causes of groupthink. These include group cohesiveness, overall group isolation, group leadership, and decision-making stress . High levels of cohesiveness decrease the amount of verbal dissension within a tight group, due to interpersonal pressure to conform.
Which of the following is an example of groupthink?
Two well-known examples of Groupthink in action are the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster and the Bay of Pigs invasion . Engineers of the space shuttle knew about some faulty parts months before takeoff, but they did not want negative press so they pushed ahead with the launch anyway.
Which of the following is likely to cause groupthink?
There are several main causes of groupthink. These include group cohesiveness, overall group isolation, group leadership, and decision-making stress . High levels of cohesiveness decrease the amount of verbal dissension within a tight group, due to interpersonal pressure to conform.
What is generally the result of groupthink?
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.
Which of the following is a typical result of groupthink?
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 symptoms of groupthink?
- Invulnerability. Members of the group share an illusion of invulnerability that creates excessive optimism and encourages taking abnormal risks.
- Rationale. ...
- Morality. ...
- Stereotypes. ...
- Pressure. ...
- Self-censorship. ...
- Illusion of Unanimity. ...
- Mind Guards.
What is groupthink in simple terms?
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.
What is groupthink in communication?
Groupthink: a phenomenon that occurs within a group of people , in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an incorrect decision-making outcome.
Is groupthink a bias?
Groupthink is a term first used by social psychologist Irving L. Janis in 1972. It refers to a cognitive bias which encourages people to desire harmony or conformity within a group. In many cases, people will set aside their own personal beliefs to adopt the opinion of the rest of the group.
How is Pearl Harbor an example of groupthink?
Pearl Harbor demonstrates two symptoms of groupthink: illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking , and rationalizing warnings that might challenge the group’s assumptions. Americans ignored the fact that Japan had a tendency to launch brutal attacks before declaring war.
What is groupthink and how can it affect an organization?
Groupthink—the tendency of groups to make decisions that preserve the status quo rather than take dissenting opinions into account— can be toxic to teams and organizations . It can stifle innovation and make employees feel pressured to conform. ... In most cases, the consequences of groupthink aren’t nearly so serious.
Why is groupthink so powerful?
Groupthink seems to occur most often when a respected or persuasive leader is present, inspiring members to agree with his or her opinion. It also is a powerful force when it validates the preconceived opinions of the individual members . It can be spot on and right.
How can groupthink be prevented?
- Build a diverse team. Avoiding groupthink starts with hiring and promotions. ...
- Intentionally structure meetings. ...
- Engage outsiders. ...
- Get unfiltered input. ...
- Expect – even encourage – conflict.
What are the advantages of groupthink?
- Cooperation is Improved. When groupthink happens, the group agrees more often than not due the nature of the phenomenon in general. ...
- Harmony Exists. ...
- There Will be Less Stress. ...
- Finish it Quickly.
Why is groupthink bad?
Groupthink leads to bad decisions because it encourages members of the group to ignore possible problems with the group’s decisions and discount the opinions of outsiders . ... It influences decisions most when there are no clear rules for decision making.
Which of the following is an advantage of group decision making?
Group decision making provides two advantages over decisions made by individuals: synergy and sharing of information . Synergy is the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Sharing information can increase understanding, clarify issues, and facilitate movement toward a collective decision.
