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