The Dangers Of Groupthink

What is Groupthink?

• Groupthink is a type of thought within a deeply cohesive in-group whose members

– Try to minimize conflict and reach consensus – Absence of critically testing, analyzing, and

evaluating ideas.

Depiction of Group Thinking and it’s consequences

Three sub-cases• I - Process improvement for a mail system• II - Free storage space• III - Investing for brand versus customers

• Problem–Better handling of base’s mail for Air force Base

• Group (civilians)–Norm: Experts and will do the best–Time taken: 1 month, 8 steps process 19 steps

• Consequence–Suffered for a year for 2 weeks delay occurring in new

delivery process

Question 1

• What are some factors that led to groupthink in the cases described here?

• What teams can do to attempt to prevent groupthink from occurring?

Answer

• Isolation from the real situation• Group Cohesiveness• Democratic (Consensus seeking)• Lack of Conflict• Idea dropped / Ignored• Lack of impartial Leadership

Answer• Appoint a devil’s advocate• Encourage everyone to be critical • The leader should not state a preference while starting the

discussion • Set up independent groups• Divide into subgroups • Discuss what is happening with others outside the group • Invite other into group to bring fresh ideas• Collect anonymous reactions. • Use suggestion box / an online forum.

• Problem–Charging for storage space

• Group–Norm: Charging for space Loose customer base

• Individual (investor)–Must start charging for it to sustain

• Consequence–No change to approach. Filed for bankruptcy

Question 2

• How might differences in status among group members contribute to groupthink? E.g. How might lower status members react to group decisions?

• Are lower status members more or less likely to be dissenters?

• Why might higher-status group members be more effective dissenters?

Answer

• The status impacts the group think based on following factors.– Minority – Dominant majority– Its more pleasant to agree rather than dissent

Question 3

• Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says that he encourages dissent. Can such norms guard against the occurrence of groupthink?

• As a manager, how would you try to cultivate norms that prevent groupthink?

Answer

• Yes, encouraging dissent as norm or culture guards against groupthink.

How might group characteristics such as size and cohesiveness affect groupthink?

• Large group size– Less personal responsibility– More Intimidated & hesitant– Norm for consensus overrides– Low productivity – large size (social loafing)– Large size – effective in fact finding, analysis

• Cohesiveness– high productivity, if goals are set upfront– low productivity, if goals are not set

Thank You