9.4:

9.4: Pensée collective

JoVE Core
Social Psychology

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JoVE Core Social Psychology

Groupthink

9.3: Group Polarization

9.5: Deindividuation

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01:34 min

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February 12, 2020

Overview

When in group settings, we are often influenced by the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around us. Groupthink is another phenomenon of conformity where modification of the opinions of members in a group aligns with what they believe is the group consensus (Janis, 1972). In such situations, the group often takes action that individuals would not perform outside the group setting because groups make more extreme decisions than individuals do. Moreover, groupthink can hinder opposing trains of thought. This elimination of diverse opinions contributes to faulty decision by the group.

Why Does Groupthink Occur?

There are several causes of groupthink, which makes it preventable. When the group is highly cohesive, or has a strong sense of connection, maintaining group harmony may become more important to the group than making sound decisions. If the group leader is directive and makes his opinions known, this may discourage group members from disagreeing with the leader. If the group is isolated from hearing alternative or new viewpoints, groupthink may be more likely.

How Do You Know When Groupthink Is Occurring?

There are several symptoms of groupthink, including the following:

perceiving the group as invulnerable or invincible—believing it can do no wrong
believing the group is morally correct
self-censorship by group members, such as withholding information to avoid disrupting the group consensus
the quashing of dissenting group members’ opinions
the shielding of the group leader from dissenting views
perceiving an illusion of unanimity among group members
holding stereotypes or negative attitudes toward the out-group or others’ with differing viewpoints (Janis, 1972)

Given the causes and symptoms of groupthink, how can it be avoided? There are several strategies that can improve group decision making including seeking outside opinions, voting in private, having the leader withhold position statements until all group members have voiced their views, conducting research on all viewpoints, weighing the costs and benefits of all options, and developing a contingency plan (Janis, 1972; Mitchell & Eckstein, 2009).

This text is adapted from OpenStax, Psychology. OpenStax CNX.

Transcript

Parfois, un individu peut supprimer ou censurer ses véritables opinions de la foule « populaire » pour s’intégrer et éviter l’inconfort, le ressentiment ou le sentiment d’être un paria.

Cette situation s’appelle la pensée de groupe – un mode de pensée où le désir de conformité et d’unanimité dans un groupe cohésif l’emporte sur des décisions ou des actions alternatives et réalistes.

En présence d’un leader estimé, les membres découvrent leurs intérêts communs et leurs antécédents similaires et apparaissent comme une unité homogène.

En conséquence, la personne désormais loyale peut éprouver une illusion d’invulnérabilité – elle se sent protégée de toute opinion extérieure qui peut varier – et elle ne sera pas moquée de l’intérieur.

Au fil du temps, la peur d’être ostracisé peut même provoquer un stress qui motive quelques-uns à agir avec des notions erronées, comme décider qu’ils sont les meilleurs et stéréotyper ceux qui ne font pas partie du groupe comme des perdants.

De telles croyances peuvent même se propager dans les médias populaires, où d’autres « aiment » le message et découragent toute dissidence.

Avec un nombre croissant de points de vue incontestés, la pensée de groupe peut nuire au bien-être et à la pensée critique de chacun et, par conséquent, doit être évitée.

Dans ce cas, pour réduire la probabilité de pensée de groupe, le « chef de réseau » doit diminuer sa présence pour éviter d’influencer l’opinion des autres. De plus, les membres pouvaient consulter ou interroger une personne de confiance de l’extérieur pour obtenir des points de vue impartiaux et alternatifs, tout en gardant des perspectives plus larges en vie !

Key Terms and definitions

Groupthink – A psychological phenomenon of conformity within a group
Conformity – The alignment of one's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors with group norms
Illusion of Unanimity – False belief of agreement within a group in groupthink
Self-censorship – Withholding of dissenting views to preserve group unity in groupthink
Illusion of Invulnerability – Overestimation of group's infallibility in groupthink

Learning Objectives

Define Groupthink – Understand the principles of groupthink and conformity (e.g., groupthink).
Contrast Groupthink vs Conformity – Distinguish between these two group-level constructs (e.g., conformity).
Explore Symptoms of Groupthink – Identify primary indications of groupthink (e.g., illusion of unanimity).
Explain Causes of Groupthink – Understand the reasons why groupthink occurs.
Apply Strategies to Avoid Groupthink – Understand how groupthink can be prevented effectively.

Questions that this video will help you answer

What is groupthink and how does it influence group decisions?
What are the major symptoms and causes of groupthink?
How can groupthink be avoided with strategic planning?

This video is also useful for

Students – Grasp groupthink's impact on group dynamics and decision-making.
Educators – Provides a clear understanding of groupthink for comprehensive teaching.
Researchers – Understand groupthink for studies on group behavior and decision processes.
Psychology Enthusiasts – Offers insights into group-level psychological phenomena.