Name: why groups make risky choices
Uploaded: 2020-02-12T11:07:47.000Z
Duration: 1 min 34 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

Pennsylvania State Academic Standards

9-12

Life Science

interdependent-relationships-in-ecosystems

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

3.1.9-12.O

Groupthink

Sometimes, an individual may suppress or censor their true opinions from the &ldquo;popular&rdquo; crowd to fit in and to avoid discomfort, resentment, or feeling like an outcast.

This situation is called groupthink&mdash;a mode of thinking where the desire for conformity and unanimity in a cohesive group overrides alternative and realistic decisions or actions.

In the presence of an esteemed leader, the members discover their shared interests and similar backgrounds and appear as a homogenous unit.

As a result, the now loyal person may experience an illusion of invulnerability&mdash;they feel protected from any outside opinions that may vary&mdash;and, they won&rsquo;t be mocked from the inside.

Over time, the fear of being ostracized may even cause stress that rationalizes a few to act with misguided notions, such as deciding that they&rsquo;re the best and stereotyping those outside the group as losers.

Such beliefs can even spread over popular media, where others &ldquo;like&rdquo; the message and discourage any dissent.

With a growing number of unquestioned viewpoints, groupthink can be detrimental to everyone&rsquo;s well-being and critical thinking and, thus, should be avoided.

In this case, to reduce the likelihood of groupthink, th

groupthink

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:

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

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 &amp; Eckstein, 2009).

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This&nbsp;text&nbsp;is adapted from <a href="https://cnx.org/contents/Sr8Ev5Og@10.24:-A77Qv6j@14/12-4-Conformity-Compliance-and-Obedience" target="_blank">OpenStax, Psychology. OpenStax CNX.</a>

When in group settings, we are often influenced by the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around us. Groupthink is another phenomenon of conformity where ...

Education

JoVE Core

Social Psychology

Foundations of Social Psychology

Group Dynamics

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

why groups make risky choices

Groupthink is a social psychology pattern in which people in a group change their opinions to match what they think the group wants. It often happens in settings where people are surrounded by the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of others. Groups can end up making more extreme choices than individuals would make alone, and that can weaken disagreement and careful thinking.

Groupthink is more likely when a group is highly cohesive, meaning it feels closely connected. In that setting, keeping harmony can matter more than making a sound decision. It can also happen when a leader is highly directive and shares an opinion early. If the group is isolated from outside viewpoints, new ideas and alternative evidence may never enter the discussion.

There are clear signs that groupthink may be happening. A group may believe it is invincible or morally right, even when that is not justified. Members may hold back concerns to avoid disruption, and dissenting opinions may be ignored or shut down. People may also protect the leader from criticism, act as if everyone agrees, and form negative stereotypes about outsiders or people with different views.

Groupthink can be reduced with better decision-making habits. Groups can ask for outside opinions, vote in private, and have the leader wait to state a position until everyone has spoken. They can also research all viewpoints, weigh the costs and benefits of each option, and make a contingency plan. These steps help groups avoid faulty decisions caused by pressure to conform.

Why Groups Make Risky Choices

social facilitation

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Groupthink is a social psychology pattern in which people in a group change their opinions to match what they think the group wants. It often happens in settings where people are surrounded by the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of others. Groups can end up making more extreme choices than individuals would make alone, and that can weaken disagreement and careful thinking. Groupthink is more likely when a group is highly cohesive, meaning it feels closely connected. In that setting, keeping...

deindividuation

Deindividuation in Crowds and Groups

Deindividuation is a social influence process that can change how people act in crowds and groups. In these settings, a person may show unusual or non-normal behavior because they no longer see themselves as a single individual. This loss of personal focus can reduce restraint and make behavior less inhibited. The idea began in the late 1800s with social psychologist Gustave Le Bon. He proposed that behavior can differ when a person is in a crowd compared with being alone. Le Bon said that...

key terms and concepts

Explore how groupthink shapes group decisions, the signs it is happening, and simple ways students can reduce conformity pressure.

Why Groups Make Risky Choices | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Social Psychology offers a comprehensive learning experience on the principles of social behavior through concise, animated video lessons. The series explores key topics such as self-concept, social cognition, group dynamics, stereotypes, and relationships. It provides a structured foundation for understanding human behavior in social situations. Students gain insights into how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts while examining the psychological processes that influence interactions and judgments. By integrating theory with real-world applications, these lessons offer a clear and engaging approach to mastering essential concepts in social psychology.

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3.1.9-12.V

Why Groups Make Risky Choices

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