Groupthink

1
Groupthink

• A theory to explain
• poor group decisions

2
Group Cohesion

• Cohesion often key to group success
• Strong commitment to group
• Strong affiliation with group members
• Can overcome barriers to reaching goals
• Is high cohesion always good?
• Might desire to maintain relationships interfere
  with effective decision making processes?
• Might desire to get along override critical
  evaluation of options?
• Might it actually contribute to bad decisions?

3
Groupthink

• How good people can make bad decisions
• Key example Bay of Pigs invasion, 1961
• Early in JFK presidency (best and brightest)
• Plan to invade Cuba failed miserably
• Huge embarrassment for new president
• Other bad decisions in history
• US preparedness before Pearl Harbor attack
• Johnsons decision to pursue Vietnam War
• Decision to try to cover up Watergate scandal

4
Factors contributing to groupthink

• Type of group Highly cohesive
• Structural contributors
• Group is insulated from outside influences
• Members mostly homogeneous (similar)
• No procedural norms for decision making
• Dominated by a respected/credible leader
• Situational contributors
• Group members under high stress
• Low group self-esteem

5
Detecting groupthink

• Each factor increases likelihood
• Cohesion key, but not enough by itself
• No one factor guarantees groupthink
• How do you know youre in groupthink?
• Several symptoms identified in research
• More symptoms, more likely in groupthink
• If you can recognize them, maybe you can avoid
  bad group decisions

6
Symptoms of groupthink

• Overestimation of group
• Illusion of groups invulnerability
• Belief in groups inherent morality
• Closedmindedness
• Out-group stereotypes denigrate others
• Collective rationalization
• Explain away contradictions/counterarguments
• Collective effort to discount any objections

7
Symptoms of groupthink

• Pressures toward uniformity
• Self-censorship to avoid disrupting group
• Mindguards emerge to protect decision
• Pressure on dissenters to not rock the boat
• Illusion of unanimity/agreement

8
Combating groupthink

• Structural factors
• Keep access to outside sources
• Include members with diverse views
• Set up effective decision-making procedures
• Leader withholds views until end
• Counteract pressures on uniformity
• Invite constructive dissent/arguments
• Appoint devils advocate to counterargue
• Establish norms of critical evaluation

9
Groupthink Exercise

• Watch 12 Angry Men
• Make notes on all examples of
• Structural factors for groupthink
• Situational factors for groupthink
• Symptoms of groupthink
• Alone or with one partner from class
• Compile observations
• Summarize in 2-page (full pages!) paper
• Due next Wednesday in class/10 pts possible