The document discusses the concept of groupthink and how groups can fall victim to irrational and dysfunctional decision making in order to achieve group cohesion and consensus. It defines the key symptoms of groupthink, including overestimation of the group's power and morality, closed-mindedness, and self-censorship. The document also provides strategies for preventing groupthink, such as considering alternative options, contingency planning, and embracing whistleblowing dissent. It critiques some aspects of groupthink theory but also notes its heuristic value and impact on the study of group dynamics.

1. GroupthinkBy: Kiara Besonia

2. PreventionOverestimation of the groupIllusion of InvulnerabilityBelief in the Inherent Morality of the GroupClose-MindednessOut-group stereotypesCollective RationalizationPressures towards UniformitySelf-censorshipIllusion of unanimity self appointed mindguardsPressures on dissenters

3. My Personal AccountWomen’s Club Indoor Volleyball tournament at Sacred Heart UniversityThe worst tournament that I’ve seen/been a part of in the three years that I have been on the TCNJ volleyball team

4. Overestimation of the GroupIllusion of InvulnerabilityThe group believes that they are invincible“I think we’re goingto do really welltoday, it looks likewe play a lot betterthan these teams.”

5. Overestimation of the GroupBelief in the Inherent Morality of the GroupThe group thinks of itself as good and therefore think their decision making is good as well…Team has goodplayersthat make gooddecisions,but as a whole we donot

6. Closed-MindednessOut-Group StereotypesCreate stereotypical views of group enemies or competitorsOut of shape, nocoach, sloppy warmUp = No competition. WRONG!

7. Closed-MindednessCollective RationalizationIgnoring signs that indicate that a change to the initial plan or decision Bad practice on Monday, so we skipped practice on Wednesday

8. Pressures Toward UniformitySelf-CensorshipPeople of the group try to minimize their doubts and uncertaintiesWe all knew we were playing badly, but none of us wanted to acknowledge it.

9. Pressures Toward UniformityIllusion of UnanimitySilence means that everyone agreesRevamped the lineupand no oneprotested.

10. Pressures Toward UniformitySelf-Appointed MindguardsPeople who try and protect the group from information that they feel is unfavorable towards the group Last team in the poolhas to referee therest of the games inthat pool.

11. Pressures Toward UniformityPressures on DissentersPressure on people in the group who do not agree with the rest of the group

12. Preventing GroupthinkLooking at the range of objectives group members wish to achieveDeveloping and reviewing action plans and alternatives

13. Preventing GroupthinkExploring the consequences of each alternativeAnalyzing previously rejected action plans when new information emergesHaving a contingency plan for failed objectives

14. Preventing GroupthinkRequire oversight and controlEstablish a governing committeeEmbrace Whistle BlowingWhistle blowing – voicing opinions when something is wrong or can be done betterAllow for ObjectionBalance Consensus and Majority Rule

15. CritiqueScopeTestabilityConcepts can be applied to several types of groupsJanis only meant it for decision-making groupsScope = NarrowConcurrence seeking?Incorporates self esteem in his discussions, but not in his theory

16. CritiqueHeurismTest of TimeThe theory has been used in a number of studiesIt has led to many assumptions about group behaviorJanis was called a pioneer in the study of social dynamicsAlthough derived more from theory than experiment or observationStill very interesting

17. Groupthink = AbstractWhy? – doesn’t necessarily work for all groupsGroupthink is concerned with how groups balance agreement when trying to make a decision. The purpose of Groupthink is to assess the ways in which people begin to sacrifice the weighing of options during decision making in order to avoid pressure and conform with a group.

18. Discussion QuestionsWhat do you think?If whistle blowing is so important, why does it seem like it is it looked down upon? Is there a way for society to change the way that we view whistle blowers?Do you think that whistle blowing comes more from a person’s amount of self esteem? If so, what are and its affects of self esteem on Groupthink?