Definition of Group Think and Conditions for Occurrence

Critical Thinking

Definition of Group Think and Conditions for occurrence:

Group think occurs when a group of people follow a faulty decision due to the pressure of their peers. At this point of time, every individuals stops thinking logically and wishes to go with the 'herd mentality'. In these cases, groups ignore alternatives/ recommendations and take an irrational decision that may at time degrade other groups. This kind of phenomena is most likely to occur when members of the groups are of similar background or when the group has been humiliated by an outside group or when there are clearly no rules of decision making.

Symptoms of Groupthink:

1. Group unites towards enemy: When a group faces a threat from an out group and there are conflicting view point, the group unites and forms a common stand on a topic. It is because of the negative views from outside which makes them respond to the conflict in a unnecessary manner.

2. False Impression of Superiority: When a group feels that they are superior to other groups and have an overconfidence bias. They tend to start a group think and move in a single direction without thinking of consequences of doing so. It simply creates excessive optimism in them to take extreme risks.

3. Collective Irrationality: In some cases, the members of a group do not pay attention towards warnings from outside and simply go with their decision. They have a set of assumption which they have made and would not like to deter from that.

4. Pressure on the dissenter: The dissenter has to bear the brunt and cannot express his/her advocating or negotiation skills as there is too much pressure maybe because of time or the value of the decision. Also, it could be that the pressure is due to other members who wish to go for a decision strongly.

5. Self-Censorship: In a lot of cases, doubts and deviations are not taken into consideration as it is perceived to be going against the group consensus. No one wishes to be the 'odd one out' and hence, they keep their viewpoints within themselves.

6. Self appointed barriers to external stimuli: Following the conformation bias, the individuals start taking only information that they like and reject what disapproves with their decision, which starts to create defence against the group and the person in charge from information that may be disagreeable or conflicting to the group's cohesiveness.

7. Undivided Opinion: In some cases, it is thought that the decision being taken in unanimous and uncontested. This makes them follow the same as they do not wish to question the Status Quo.

8. Silence of members: Some members may not raise their voice on some topics and this is taken as consent of those members. Hence it is simply because they wish to avoid conflict that it is taken as an