Comm 250 Final review Groupthink Janis 1972 SOCIAL SCIENTIST Goal purpose of groupthink To understand the nature of decision making in small groups Boundary conditions o Decision making or task oriented groups o Groups under pressure to make decisions Definition of Groupthink The inability of the group to realistically appraise alternative courses of action due to o High cohesiveness o Desire for unanimity Concepts related to groupthink e g groupthink group cohesiveness affiliative constraints homogeneity group insulation etc Groupthink a way of group deliberation that minimizes conflict and emphasizes the need for unanimity Group Cohesiveness the extent to which group members are willing to work together A group s sense of togetherness those members who are highly attracted to other members attitudes values etc are more likely to be cohesive Is cohesiveness good or bad It can be good or bad I recommend reading pg 245 in the textbook to explain it better it s good but not when it leads to groupthink symptoms in terms of working in groups cohesiveness generally isn t good because it leads to groupthink and affects group s ability to make a good decision Affiliative Restraints refers to when members withhold their input rather than face rejection from the group Homogeneity Group Similarity between group members Group Insulation A group s ability to remain unaffected by outside influences which isn t necessarily a good thing right right No impartial Leadership leaders are part of the group itself led by leaders who put their agenda first aka have a personal interest in the outcome No decision making process failure to provide norms for solving groups issues procedures High Stress internal external stress pressure exerted on the group by issues and events both inside and outside of the group Assumptions of groupthink Conditions in group promote high cohesiveness o Want to be in that group and maintain a group identity high belongingness Group problem solving is a unified process o Affiliated constraints withholding input Groups and group decision making are complex What are the differences between problem solving groups and task oriented groups Problem solving groups sets of individuals whose main task is to make decisions and provide policy recommendations Task oriented groups sets of individuals whose main goal is to work toward completing jobs assigned to them hey okay problem solving groups are ones who set out to make a decision about something and often make a suggestion on a policy change or something of the like a task oriented group is one that works toward completing a job a jury deciding whether somebody is innocent or guilty a group project that you have to present at the end of the semester etc make sense yes thanks cool let me know if you need help again 252 how does a vigilant decision maker make a According to your text pg decision 1 Looking at the range of objectives 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 Conditions that might promote Groupthink Antecedents High Cohesiveness Highly cohesive groups exert great pressure on their members to conform to group standards o Janis argues that when the effectiveness or consequences of a group s decision remains secondary to a group s cohesion the group is prone to groupthink Group Insulation o Happens when groups meet so frequently that they become immune to what is taking place outside of their group experience They may be discussing issues that have relevance in the outside world and yet the members are insulated from its influence No Impartial Leadership Group members are led by people who have a personal interest in the outcome Homogeneity of Group Members Without diversity of background and experience it may be difficult to debate critical issues No Decision Making Procedures Failure to provide norms for solving High Stress pressure exerted on the group by issues and events both inside group issues and outside the group Symptoms of Groupthink Overestimation of the group Erroneous belief that the group is more than it is o Illusions of Invulnerability a group s belief that they are special enough to overcome any obstacles or setbacks o Belief of the Inherent Morality of the Group assumption that the group members are thoughtful and good therefore the decisions they make will be good Group members purge themselves of any shame or guilt Closed mindedness a group s willingness to ignore differences in people and warnings about poor group decisions o Out group Stereotypes stereotyped perceptions of group enemies or competitors o Collective Rationalizations situation in which group members ignore warnings about their decisions ex The group members may hear a warning about something ex smoking is bad for you yet they all come to the conclusion that many people do it so it can t be THAT bad Basically rationalize together that their decision is a good one Pressures Toward Uniformity Occurs when group members go along to get along o Self Censorship Group members tendency to minimize their PERSONAL doubts and counterarguments Illusion of Unanimity Belief that silence equals agreement o o Self Appointed Mind Guards Group members who shield the group o Pressures on Dissenters Direct Influence on group members who from adverse information provide thoughts contrary to the group s How to avoid Groupthink Foster an open climate of discussion Avoid insulating the group from outside criticism Assign everyone the role of critical evaluator Avoid being too direct or exerting undue influence upon the group How can small groups prevent groupthink Require oversight and control of group decision making o Establish a parliamentary committee develop resources to proactively monitor ongoing policy ventures establish incentives to intervene link personal fate to fate of group members Embrace whistle blowing within the group o Avoid suppressing concerns about group processes continue to disagree and debate when no satisfactory answers are given question assumptions Allow for objections ie conscientious objectors o Protect conscientious objectors 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 Balance consensus and majority
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