Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when a group of individuals reaches a consensus without critical reasoning or evaluating the consequences and alternatives. This behavior often stems from a common desire to maintain harmony within the group, leading to stifled creativity and hindered individuality.
Key Insights
- Consensus Over Critique: Groupthink is characterized by members suppressing dissent in the pursuit of agreement.
- Suppressing Dissent: Individuals who present rational arguments are often pressured to conform to the group’s viewpoint.
- Risks in Politics: Groupthink can be particularly perilous in politics and high-stakes decision-making where no single member has all the necessary information.
- Mitigating Measures: Inviting criticism or assigning a
Related Terms: herd mentality, confirmation bias, peer pressure, false consensus effect.
References
- Very Well Mind. “What Is Groupthink?”
- Psychology Today. “Groupthink”.
- New York Times. “NASA’s Curse? Groupthink Is 30 Years Old, and Still Going Strong”.
Get ready to put your knowledge to the test with this intriguing quiz!
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## What is the term "Groupthink" primarily used to describe?
- [ ] A financial strategy
- [ ] A technical market indicator
- [x] A psychological phenomenon where people strive for consensus within a group
- [ ] A business accounting method
## Which of the following is a main cause of Groupthink?
- [x] A strong, persuasive leader within the group
- [ ] A diverse group with varied opinions
- [ ] Financial incentives
- [ ] Detailed external audits
## One of the key characteristics of Groupthink is:
- [x] Suppression of dissenting viewpoints within the group
- [ ] High levels of conflict
- [ ] Robust, reasoned discussion of all options
- [ ] Quick decision-making due to clear hierarchy
## Groupthink can often lead to:
- [ ] Higher individual creativity
- [ ] Better financial performance
- [ ] Increase in individual accountability
- [x] Poor decision-making and potential business failures
## What is a common indicator that Groupthink might be occurring in a group?
- [ ] Members actively seek disconfirming evidence
- [ ] Evident cliques arguing consistently
- [x] Uniformity of conclusions without critical evaluation
- [ ] High turnover rate
## Which strategy can help reduce the effects of Groupthink?
- [ ] Rewarding the fastest consensus reached
- [x] Encouraging open and critical dialog
- [ ] Limiting the size of the group
- [ ] Clear, authoritative leadership
## A real-world example often associated with Groupthink is:
- [ ] Serendipitously discovered effective finances
- [ ] Regular accordion playing portfolios
- [x] The Bay of Pigs invasion
- [ ] Turnaround expert decisions made with quant study cheeriness
## The primary impact of Groupthink on team decisions is typically:
- [x] Reduced quality of decisions due to lack of individuality
- [ ] High morale and commitment to decisions made
- [ ] Decreased conformity
- [ ] Increased distribution of investments
## Which of the following roles within a group is most likely to mitigate Groupthink?
- [x] Devil's advocate
- [ ] Group leader
- [ ] Silent observer
- [ ] Notetaker
## Which famous psychologist introduced the concept of Groupthink?
- [ ] Sigmund Freud
- [ ] Carl Jung
- [x] Irving Janis
- [ ] Abraham Maslow
