Groupthink is a concept introduced by Irving Janis (1972) to describe extreme consensus seeking tendencies in decision-making groups . ... Ironically, the role of leadership is also pivotal in ensuring that teams escape the potential pitfall of groupthink by adopting certain practices that mitigate groupthink.
What makes groupthink more likely?
Groupthink is more likely to occur in groups in which the members are feeling strong social identity —for instance, when there is a powerful and directive leader who creates a positive group feeling, and in times of stress and crisis when the group needs to rise to the occasion and make an important decision.
What kind of leadership makes groupthink more likely to happen?
Leader influences: Groupthink is also more likely to take place when a powerful and charismatic leader commands the group . Low knowledge: When people lack personal knowledge of something or feel that other members of the group are more qualified, they are more likely to engage in groupthink.
What are the criteria for 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 is groupthink and when is it likely to happen?
Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when a group of well-intentioned people makes irrational or non-optimal decisions spurred by the urge to conform or the belief that dissent is impossible .
What are 3 characteristics of a leader?
- Integrity.
- Ability to delegate.
- Communication.
- Self-awareness.
- Gratitude.
- Learning agility.
- Influence.
- Empathy.
What is an example of a groupthink?
Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when the desire for group consensus overrides people’s common sense desire to present alternatives, critique a position, or express an unpopular opinion. ... Two well-known examples of Groupthink in action are the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster and the Bay of Pigs invasion .
What are the 8 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.
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.
Is groupthink always bad?
Groupthink can cause people to ignore important information and can ultimately lead to poor decisions . This can be damaging even in minor situations but can have much more dire consequences in certain settings.
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.
How can groupthink 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.
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.
When is groupthink least likely to occur?
In juries and other small groups, groupthink is less likely to occur if at least one person expresses a dissenting view . Once that happens, other dissenters feel more comfortable voicing their own objections (Gastil, 2009).
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.
How do you overcome groupthink?
- Recruit a Diverse Team. In lean organizations, each person is critically important. ...
- Organize Your Space. ...
- Make Time for Independent Evaluation. ...
- Encourage Personal and Professional Development to Avoid Groupthink. ...
- Celebrate Diverse Perspectives.
