Groupthink

1. Groupthink

2. Origin • William H. Whyte coined the term in 1952, in Fortune magazine: Groupthink being a coinage and, admittedly, a loaded one—a working definition is in order. We are not talking about mere instinctive conformity—it is, after all, a perennial failing of mankind. What we are talking about is a rationalized conformity—an open, articulate philosophy which holds that group values are not only expedient but right and good as well. • Irving Janis, who did extensive work on the subject, defined it 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.

3. Clues of Groupthinking • Believing in the group's morality • Sharing stereotypes which guide the decision • Exercising direct pressure on others Example: Dec 1, 2008 - “One of the dangers in a White House, based on my reading of history, is that you get wrapped up in groupthink, and everybody agrees with everything, and there's no discussion and there are not dissenting views,” Obama said, voicing a frequent criticism when one representative board member shouted out “Liar!”

4. Viewpoints • “Groupthink occurs when groups are highly cohesive and when they are under considerable pressure to make a quality decision” (Borchers) Social psychologist Clark McCauley's three conditions under which groupthink occurs: • Directive leadership. • Agreements of members' social background and ideas. • Isolation of the group from outside sources of information and analysis.

5. Work Cited Brochers, Tim. “Groupthink”. Small Group Communication. February 17, 2010. 1999. http://www.abacon.com/commstudies/groups/groupthink.html “Lemmings”. Design G Productions . February 17, 2010 http://www.thedigeratilife.com/join-investment-club-groupthink/