This is often an example of a psychological phenomenon known as groupthink.
What Exactly Is Groupthink?
Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon in which people strive for consensus within a group.
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The term was first used in 1972 bysocial psychologistIrving L. Janis.
There are also some situations where it may be more likely to occur.
Janis identified eight different “symptoms” that indicate groupthink.
Other signs include rationalizing, self-censorship, mindguards, and direct pressure.
How Groupthink Works
Why does groupthink occur?
Think about the last time you were part of a group, perhaps during a school project.
Imagine that someone proposes an idea that you think is terrible, ineffective, or just downright dumb.
Do you voice your dissent or just go along with the majority opinion?
What Causes Groupthink?
Groupthink is complex and there are many influences that can impact when and how it happens.
This means that they may come to the same conclusions and interpret the available information in the same ways.
This can be damaging even in minor situations but can have much more dire consequences in certain parameters.
The phenomenon can have high costs.
However, it can also lead to poorproblem-solvingand contribute tobad decisions.
Groupthink involves the decision-making process.
Conformity can sometimes cause groupthink, but it isn’t always the motivating factor.
Finding ways to reduce groupthink can improve decision-making and assure amicable relationships within the group.
What Can You Do to Avoid Groupthink?
There are steps that groups can take to minimize this problem.
Diversity among group members has also been shown to enhance decision-making and reduce groupthink.
This enhances decisions and makes it less likely that groups will fall into groupthink patterns.
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