you did not want to appear unsupportive of the group’s efforts? If so‚ you have probably been a victim of "Groupthink". Irving Lester Janis (26 May 1918 - 15 November 1990) was a research psychologist at Yale University and most famous for his theory of "groupthink" which described the systematic errors made by groups when taking collective decisions(Wikipedia).Janis described “groupthink” as “a mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group.When the
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Janis’ concept of Groupthink Janis’ (1972) concept of Groupthink sets out symptoms and characteristics that can occur within cohesive groups. This behaviour can have significant negative influences on the decision making process within the group. Janis further classifies six main symptoms which can be found in groups suffering from Groupthink. The story of ‘The Bay of Pigs’‚ and the case study of the pharmaceutical industry‚ will help us to illustrate differences between the characteristics
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GROUPTHINK THEORY Groupthink is a concurrence-seeking tendency that can deter collective decision-making processes and lead to poor decisions that induce fiascos‚ (Janis‚ 1972‚ 1982). 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 agreement override their motivation to realistically review alternative courses of action. Janis listed eight symptoms of group think: Illusions of invulnerability
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There are several main causes of groupthink. These include group cohesiveness‚ overall group isolation‚ group leadership‚ and decision-making stress. High levels ofcohesiveness decrease the amount of verbal dissension within a tight group‚ due to interpersonal pressure to conform. This high level of cohesiveness also creates self-censorship and apparent unanimity within the group. Normally‚ group dissension is necessary for good decision-making‚ because it introduce different perspectives to the
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Obedience Some of the darkest times in history have resulted from passive obedience‚ not from large acts of violence. Howard Zinn‚ a social activist‚ once stated “Historically‚ the most terrible things – war‚ genocide‚ and slavery – have resulted not from disobedience‚ but from obedience.” In many instances‚ leaders or dictators have taken over a specific group of people and caused them to obey their commands by frightening them with authority. Obedience appears as the main cause of war‚ genocide
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terrible decision? You may have been part of a groupthink event. Groupthink is a term coined by Psychologist Irving Janis. He determined cohesive groups try to maintain unanimity rather than utilize all data to make a good decision (Whyte‚ 2000). Some historic examples of groupthink are the attack on Pearl Harbor‚ Iranian hostage rescue attempt‚ and the Holocaust. The attack on Pearl Harbor may have been thwarted‚ or damage minimized‚ if groupthink was not present. Ambassador Grew sent a warning
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Society’s Tendency to Pass on Responsibility The Obedience to Authority Experiment of Stanley Milgram is one of the most studied experiments in American history due to its wide-ranging social implications. The study gained popular attention because it aimed to provide some insight as to why the Holocaust had escalated in such a way. The study was designed around testing the degree of inflicted pain strangers would give to others‚ under orders by an experimenter. Not only did the study defy what
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some interesting points‚ but in several of those points overlooked a crucial aspect. What was overlooked was that in several of the groups talked about the leader of the group had unquestionable power. The question I would pose is how groups would overcome the groupthink mentality when they have to please appease the ideas of a single individual. In the reading the examples that were used involved the President of the United States and his cabinet members or advisors. In these situations the group
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Q 2.What is groupthink. Explain Groupthink occurs when the pressure to conform within a group interferes with that group’s analysis of a problem and causes poor group decision making. Individual creativity‚ uniqueness‚ and independent thinking are lost in the pursuit of group cohesiveness‚ as are the advantages that can sometimes be obtained by making a decision as a group—bringing different sources of ideas‚ knowledge‚ and experience together to solve a problem. Psychologist Irving Janis defines
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Obedience In this essay I am going to write on how obedience can affect individuals on how they would normally behave and integrate in society. The meaning of Obedience is a form of social influence where an individual acts in response to a direct order from another individual‚ who is usually an authority figure. It is assumed that without such an order the person would not have acted in this way. (McLeod‚ 2007) Migram (1963) conducted a study on how obedient a person would be to an authority
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