Groupthink
Groupthink refers to the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility. It is a phenomenon that occurs when a group of individuals reaches a consensus without critical reasoning or evaluation of the consequences or alternatives. Groupthink is based on a common desire not to upset the balance of a group of people.[1]
- Groupthink is a phenomenon in which individuals overlook potential problems in the pursuit of consensus thinking.
- Any dissenters in the group who may attempt to introduce a rational argument are pressured to come around to a consensus and may even be censored.
- Groupthink is particularly dangerous in political situations where no single actor has all of the relevant information.
- Groupthink can be reduced by inviting criticism or appointing one person to act as a "devil's advocate" against the group.
- The Challenger shuttle disaster, the Bay of Pigs, Watergate, and the escalation of the Vietnam War are all considered possible consequences of groupthink.
See Also