Groupthink Janis 12 13 2011 Goal purpose of Groupthink To understand the nature of decision making in small groups Groupthink Defined of action due to The inability of a group to realistically appraise alternative courses o High Cohesiveness common sentiment or investment o Desire for Unanimity group will look for everyone to agree and no one to disagree to make it easier Groupthink Assumptions Conditions in group promote high cohesiveness Group problem solving is a unified process o Affiliated constraints refers to when members withhold their input rather than face rejection from the group Groups and group decision making are complex What are the differences between problem solving groups and task oriented groups Problem Solving Groups o Sets of individuals whose main task is to make decisions and provide policy recommendations Task Oriented Groups o Sets of individuals whose main goal is to work toward completing jobs assigned to them How does a vigilant decision maker make a decision How is this decision making process altered in a groupthink situation 1 looking at the range of objective group members wish to achieve 2 developing and reviewing action plans and alternatives 3 exploring the consequences of each alternative 4 analyzing previously rejected action plans when new information emerges 5 having a contingency plan for failed suggestions seen as oversimplifying the groupthink problem use these 4 recommendations instead 1 Require oversight and control 2 Embrace whistle blowing in the group 3 Allow for objection 4 Balance consensus and majority rule Information from groupthink video Conditions that might produce groupthink 1 High Cohesiveness can be seen as positive but if it leads to groupthink it is negative can exert great pressure on their members to conform to group standards cohesiveness conformity groupthink when effectiveness or consequences of a group s decision remains secondary to a group s cohesion Janis contends that the group is prone to groupthink 2 Group Insulation Structural Factor a group s ability to remain unaffected by outside influences many groups meet so frequently that they become immune from what takes places outside of their group experience may even discuss issues that have relevance in the outside world and yet the members are insulated from its influence 3 Lack of Impartial Leadership Structural Factor group members are led by people who have a personal interest in the outcome 4 Lack of Decision Making procedures Structural Factor failing to have previously established norms for evaluation of problems can foster groupthink group members may try to challenge management but their words are either muted or dismissed 5 Homogeneity of Group Member Structural Factor without diversity of background and experience it may be difficult pressure exerted on the group by issues and events both inside and to debate critical issues 6 Internal and External Stress outside of the group Symptoms of Groupthink 1 Overestimation of the Group incorrect belief that the group is more than it is a Illusion of Invulnerability o belief that the group is special enough to overcome obstacles they believe they are invincible b Belief in the Inherent Morality of the Group o assumption that the group members are thoughtful and good therefore the decisions they make will be good o purge themselves of any shame or guilt o they ignore ethical or moral implications of their decision 2 Close mindedness when a group is closed minded it ignores outside influences on the group warnings about poor group decisions a Out Group Stereotypes o stereotyped perceptions of group enemies or competitors o groups in crisis usually engage in this o these stereotypes underscore the fact that any adversaries are either too weak or too stupid to counter offensive tactics b Collective Rationalization o situation in which group members ignore warnings about their decisions 3 Pressures Towards Uniformity Occurs when group members go along to get along a Self Censorship o group members tendency to minimize their doubts and counterarguments o they begin to second guess their own ideas b Illusion of Unanimity o belief that silence equals agreement o one member may disagree but their silence allows the group to think that they agree c Self Appointed Mindguards o group members who shield the group from adverse information 4 Pressures on Dissenters o mindguards believe that they act in the group s best interest pressuring any group member who expresses opinions viewpoints or commitments that are contrary to the majority opinion How can small groups prevent groupthink Preventing Groupthink 1 Require oversight and control establish a parliamentary committee develop resources to proactively monitor ongoing policy ventures establish incentives to intervene link personal fate to fate of group members 2 Embrace Whistle Blowing process in which individuals report unethical or illegal behaviors or practices to others voice doubts avoid suppressing concerns about group processes continue to disagree and debate when no satisfactory answers are given question assumptions 3 Allow for Objection Protect conscientious objectors group members who refuse to participate because it would violate personal conscience Provide for group members exits do not play down the moral implications of a course of action acknowledge private concerns about ethical issues in the group 4 Balance Consensus and Majority Rule Alter rules governing choice Relieve pressure on groups in minority positions dissuade the development of subgroups introduce a multiple advocacy approach to decisions Evaluation of the theory Positives Negatives How does the theory define communication Relate to issues involved in defining communication Metathoretical Assumptions Ontological Epistemological Axiological Organizational Information Theory 12 13 2011 Karl Weick Goal purpose of OIT To describe how organizations collect manage and use the information that they receive General systems theory and Darwin s theory of evolution relate to OIT General Systems Theory o The interrelationship among organizational units o Feedback Feedback Cycles can be negative or positive To engage in cycles of feedback to obtain necessary information and reduce its uncertainty about the best way to accomplish its goals o Used to study how organizations manage information o If there is a disruption in one past of a system it affects the entire system Theory of Socio cultural Evolution
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