Groupthink Flashcards
(19 cards)
Groupthink is most likely to occur in:
A) Diverse, decentralized networks
B) Groups with a high turnover rate
C) Highly cohesive, insulated groups under pressure
D) Randomly selected focus groups
Highly cohesive, insulated groups under pressure
Which of the following is not one of the original structural causes of groupthink?
A) Group insulation
B) Homogeneity
C) Impartial leadership
D) Lack of formal training
Lack of formal training
Which of the following best defines concurrence seeking?
A) Seeking agreement after evidence is gathered
B) A group’s strong drive to reach unanimity, overriding realistic appraisals
C) A method of managing conflict through majority voting
D) A step in structured decision-making
A group’s strong drive to reach unanimity, overriding realistic appraisals
Which symptom is illustrated when group members assume the group is incapable of making mistakes?
A) Out-group stereotyping
B) Collective rationalization
C) Illusion of invulnerability
D) Self-censorship
Illusion of invulnerability
Self-appointed mindguards:
A) Are officially assigned roles within the group
B) Intentionally challenge majority opinions
C) Protect the group from dissenting views or outside information
D) Are whistleblowers in disguise
Protect the group from dissenting views or outside information
TRUE or FALSE:
Groupthink only occurs in government or political groups
False
Groupthink can occur in any decision-making group: political, corporate, academic, etc.
TRUE or FALSE:
Group cohesiveness can contribute to groupthink under certain conditions
True
High cohesiveness, especially when combined with other structural flaws, is a major contributor.
TRUE or FALSE:
A conscientious objector agrees with the group’s moral stance but wants to avoid conflict
False
A conscientious objector disagrees with the group morally and chooses not to participate
TRUE or FALSE:
Whistleblowers often emerge after groupthink has led to negative consequences
True
Whistleblowers often speak out after recognizing flawed decisions and their outcomes.
TRUE or FALSE:
Having a structured decision-making procedure can reduce the risk of groupthink
True
Structured decision-making can help avoid consensus-driven pitfalls
Define groupthink and explain how it can harm decision-making
Groupthink is a communication phenomenon where the desire for unanimity in a highly cohesive group overrides realistic evaluation of alternatives, leading to poor decisions.
It stifles dissent, isolates the group, and encourages rationalizations
List and briefly explain three theoretical assumptions of groupthink
hint!!!!! C, U.P.S, C
- Cohesiveness - group is too close
- Unified problem solving - speeding through problem solving instead of effectively thinking as a group
- Complexity - more inclines to give up on complex problems
What are two examples of closed-mindedness symptoms in groupthink?
hint!!!!! O.G.S, C.R
Out-group stereotypes – dismissing critics or alternatives as uninformed or malicious.
Collective rationalization – justifying decisions despite contrary evidence.
Explain the roles of whistleblowers and conscientious objectors in groupthink contexts.
Whistleblower: Someone who exposes poor decisions or unethical behavior, often after the fact.
Conscientious objector: A group member who morally disagrees and withdraws rather than conform.
List and describe four ways to prevent groupthink.
hint!!! C.E, L.N, E.D, E.O
- Encourage critical evaluation – assign someone to question/challenge ideas
- Leader neutrality – leader should withhold personal preferences
- Encourage dissent – allow space for disagreement through subgroups, second chances, or anonymous feedback
- Invite external opinions – bring in experts or outside observers.
A corporate board makes a disastrous decision after ignoring a dissenting voice. Analyze this situation using Groupthink Theory. Identify at least 3 symptoms and 2 structural causes of groupthink that might explain what happened.
Symptoms:
1. Illusion of invulnerability – “We’ve never failed before.”
2. Self-censorship – dissenting voice remains quiet.
3. Self-appointed mindguards – some members shield the group from outside warnings.
Structural causes:
1. Group insulation – no feedback from lower-level employees or experts.
2. Impartial leadership (lacking) – the CEO dominated discussion with a preferred solution.
Which of the following would help PREVENT groupthink?
A) Homogeneity among members
B) High cohesiveness without structure
C) Appointing a devil’s advocate
D) Avoiding moral objections
Appointing a devil’s advocate
Which of the following is NOT a symptom of groupthink?
A) Consensus through majority vote
B) belief in the inherit morality
C) pressure on dessenters
D) outgroup stereotypes
Consensus through majority vote
A university task force is assigned to plan the new student center. The group is tight-knit, avoids outside feedback, and quickly dismisses any suggestions that deviate from the chairperson’s initial plan. No one wants to be the “difficult” person. Which symptom of groupthink is most evident in this scenario?
A) Collective rationalization
B) Self-censorship
C) Illusion of unanimity
D) Impartial leadership
Self-censorship
