Understanding Groupthink

Groupthink is a concept that many writers are unaware of which makes it harder for fiction writers to write realistic content. Especially if the writer is writing about any sort of group working together or problems solving.
Janis (1972), defined groupthink as a "mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group; when the members' strivings for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action" (p. 9). Groupthink typically causes an environment that stifles creativity, impedes the flow of information, and decreases the chance of success (Keebler, 2015). There are four main conditions that when they occur together typically lead to the creation of a groupthink environment, which in turn leads to poor decision making. Ellis and Fisher (1994) as describe these four conditions as:
1. mindless cohesion
2. pressuring nonconformists
3. failing to reward critical thinking
4. a tendency to justify
When these four conditions occur in a group, the group typically functions as a groupthink environment. A groupthink environment can be noticed by observing groups for symptoms of groupthink. The main symptoms of groupthink are:
1. illusion of invulnerability
2. increased optimism and risk-taking
3. belief in the morality of the group without question
4. discouragement of dissent
5. self-censorship by group members
6. protection against information that would threaten the complacency of the group (Janis, 1972).
Groupthink can occur anywhere in society from any organization, company, government, or group that involves people working together in a group. Groupthink can be seen throughout history with the decisions that different Presidents have made like Franklin Roosevelt's choice to focus on training instead of defense at Pearl Harbor and Kennedy’s choice to invade Cuba (Kretchmar, 2019). However, it can also be seen today in companies, stores, and organizations. One such example would be if a family-owned company had a product that was losing the interest of consumers; instead of seeking a new alternative to the item, they choose to keep the product. If this decision were made due to a lack of understanding of why the item is no longer selling and optimism that causes them to refuse to acknowledge the economic reality of their situation, then this would be a case of groupthink.
Groupthink also has a wider implication towards social welfare as when it occurs, it can cause people to ignore logic and instead conform to a group even against their own knowledge and health. Groupthink can cause people to ignore their own knowledge and beliefs in order to conform with the group regardless of the true morality of the group; in fact, in such cases, people can even become convinced in the morality of their group and the needlessness of questioning of the group.
References
Ellis, D., & Fisher, A. (1994). Small group decision making (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-
                Hill.
Keebler, D. (2015). Understanding the Constructs of Groupthink and Learning
Organizations. International Leadership Journal, 7(1), 93–97. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=102325251&site=eds-live&scope=site
Kretchmar, J. (2019). Groupthink. Salem Press Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://search-
ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=89185516&site=eds-live&scope=site
Janis, I. (1972). Victims of groupthink: a psychological study of foreign-policy decisions and
                fiascos. Hopewell, NJ: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Moorhead, G., Ference, R., & Neck, C. P. (1991). Group Decision Fiascoes Continue: Space
Shuttle Challenger and a Revised Groupthink Framework. Human Relations, 44(6), 539–550. https://doi.org/10.1177/001872679104400601

Written by Readers’ Favorite Reviewer Sefina Hawke