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Groupthink

Groupthink. When group members striving for agreement (norm for unanimity), fail to realistically appraise alternative courses of action A means for a group to protect its positive image (extremely high in cohesion). Groupthink video. Identify factors that may lead to groupthink

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Groupthink

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  1. Groupthink • When group members striving for agreement (norm for unanimity), fail to realistically appraise alternative courses of action • A means for a group to protect its positive image (extremely high in cohesion)

  2. Groupthink video • Identify factors that may lead to groupthink • Identify “symptoms” of groupthink • Identify methods to minimize groupthink

  3. Antecedents of Groupthink • Factors that may lead to groupthink • High levels of cohesion • Stressful decision-making context • External pressure • Tight budgets • Recent failures

  4. Symptoms of Groupthink • Illusion of unanimity (false consensus) • Silence implies agreement • “I’m not going to call for a vote, I think we are all in agreement here” • “We’ve decided..” • Challenger example • Self-censorship • Not speaking up (feeling of tension caused by pressure to be silent & internally wanting to speak up) • “I had a few objections, but since everybody seems committed, I won’t bring them up.”

  5. Symptoms of Groupthink (cont) • Illusion of invulnerability & Rationalization • “Our strategy has worked in the past, odds are it will again” • “We are the best military in the world, what do we have to worry about” • Mindguards • “No need for you to be at the meeting; I’ll summarize your concerns for the board”

  6. Ways to Minimize Groupthink • Avoid isolating the group • Bring in outside experts • JFK example • Critical evaluators / Devil’s advocate • Role is to question assumptions and uncontested information • Open climate • Leader invites and accepts divergent thinking • Avoid being directive • Strong leaders speak last or sometimes not at all • JFK example

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