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Group Decision-Making Theory

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Group Thinking Theory, a study on group decision-making, is developed by Irving Janis. According to Janis, it is “based on human social behavior in which maintaining group solidarity is regarded more important than considering the facts in a realistic manner (Janis, I. 2014). Groupthink is defined as “the mode of thinking when people are deeply involved in a cohesive group and the members are striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternate courses of action” (Janis, I, 2014). Moreover, Janis mentioned that when the group is highly cohesive, isolated from contrary opinions and is ruled by a directive leader who makes his/her wishes known; these conditions will likely encourage them into group thinking. …show more content…

This theory assumed that each member will contribute to the group discussion or decision without being influenced by other members of the group. This tool will guide the group to gather more creative ideas and views. Basically this tool requires the group to present the problem to all members of the group and to give them ample time to think of solutions based on their own opinions and views. When all participants have prepared their own solutions to solve the problem, two members will initially discuss their solutions, followed by adding another member one by one, until all members are gathered and has shared their own solution without hearing or being biased by other …show more content…

One way of preventing group thinking is by having a team leader, which should not be judgmental and biased, that will facilitate the group discussion. The team leader will ask each member of the group to share their opinions as well as will encourage each member to speak without hesitation. The team leader should act as the facilitator that will lead the discussion and end unnecessary or derogatory statements from other members to avoid the symptoms of Direct Pressure on Dissenters since it should be focused that this is an open discussion and there are no right or wrong answers as the group is only brainstorming a solution to solve the presented

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The groups are the Guardian, Idealist, Artisan, and Rationals. Reviewing and sharing results within the group will give one another an understanding of others point of view, and create an open, trusting enviorment. It is important to be aware of one’s own personality type

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In The Dangers of Groupthink, Naomi Karten provides the reader with a few of many examples on how they can avoid the dangerous phenomenon that is, Groupthink. Karten expresses her opinion by stating, “Diligently avoid a no-criticism culture and a no-criticism decision-making policy.” (The Danger of Groupthink, 2). Being able to avoid a nonconstructive environment is an extremely courageous step that can ultimately lead to one’s success. However, for one to achieve such a large task takes a tremendous effort, and requires one to place both their feelings and well being on the line.

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In many cases, people will set aside their own personal credence or adopt the opinions of the rest of the group. Groupthink occurs when the pressures are high to conform within an organization interferes with the group 's’ analysis to reach a decision limiting independent thinking. There are eight symptoms of Groupthink that include the following, illusion of invulnerability, rationalization, brief in inherent morality, out-group stereotypes, self-censorship, illusion of unanimity, direct pressure on dissenters, and self-appointed mindguards . A historical example of Groupthink is the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster.

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The only real way to combat the negative effects of groupthink is to cast aside your surrounding society’s norms of what is ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and to take a personal stance against that society no matter what the cost may be. The Salem Witch Trials as represented in The Crucible by Arthur Miller are a perfect, if slightly extreme, example of what herd mentality can lead to if left long enough to fester and grow. John Proctor is the character who takes a stand against his surrounding society, losing his life in the process but also breaking the thrall of groupthink for the town of Salem, effectively setting them free from the Witch Trials. There are two main types of people affected by groupthink: those who unconsciously go with the crowd and are unaware, and those who are simply too scared to speak up.

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Most of us have heard of or even witnessed “mob mentality”, the behavioral tendency of people to act in unison with the group of which they are a part. We are more likely to do something as a group that we might not do as an individual. We can lose control of our inhibitions when our mentality becomes part of a group. As part of a group or corporation we may even feel a strong need to conform to social norms. Groupthink or deindividuation is similar to mob mentality.

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The unanimous decision of going to war with Vietnam was all the cause and effect of groupthink. To avoid such a vicious circle, the best thing to do is to keep oneself in check all the time. This group should have had a neutral person to counter their decisions when wrong and to voice his unbiased opinions when needed. The best rule when dealing with groups is to make it a rule to be honest and be free to speak out when needed (Bacevich J., August 3rd, 2014). It is always good to analyze each and every idea and dissect it to find the flaws to work on.

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Have you ever been part of a team that made a terrible decision? You may have been part of a groupthink event. Groupthink is a term coined by Psychologist Irving Janis. He determined cohesive groups try to maintain unanimity rather than utilize all data to make a good decision (Whyte, 2000). Some historic examples of groupthink are the attack on Pearl Harbor, Iranian hostage rescue attempt, and the Holocaust.

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It is a natural human instinct to want to be acknowledge by your peers, yet it is also important to be a critical thinker. Irving Janis in 1972 created the term groupthink. He believed groupthink occurs inside a group of similar people that want to keep from being different, resulting in incoherent decision-making. The 1957 film "12 Angry Men," uses groupthink, which influenced the verdict vote in the case of a teenager accused of murdering his father. The purpose of this essay is to examine groupthink and to represent Dr. Irving Janis’ symptoms of groupthink in the film.

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Groupthink was a very interesting aspect that I use in my day-to-day. This theory is a phenomenon where people desire consensus within a group. Often than not, people will disregard their own opinion

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Group think According to Janis, who coined the term; groupthink “occurs when a group makes faulty decisions because group pressures lead to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment” (1972, p. 9) further group think often leads to a decrease in the mental efficacy perception of reality and moral judgement, as personages find themselves in a group system that seeks high cohesion and unanimity which delimits the motivation of the individual to realistically appraise alternate courses of action (Janis, 1972). A common trait of a collective experiencing this phenomenon, is an inclination to take irrational decision making in addition to members of the group being similar in background and further being insulated from external insight. Comparably the singularity of groupthink is present in the film 12 Angry Men, and appears anecdotally, early on the film, present in the expected unanimous vote of ‘guilty,’ that will send the defendant to the electric chair. Invulnerability Literature surrounding the concept of group think is greatly rooted in the writings of Janis.

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1150 Words | 5 Pages

Psychologist Irving Janis explained some alarmingly bad decisions made by governments and businesses coined the term "groupthink”, which he called "fiascoes.” He was particularly drawn to situations where group pressure seemed to result in a fundamental failure to think. Therefore, Janis further analyzed that it is a quick and easy way to refer to a mode of thinking people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members ' striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action. According to Janis, groupthink is referred as the psychological drive for consensus at any cost that suppresses disagreement and prevents the appraisal of alternatives in cohesive decision-making groups.

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Immunization of Children Vaccinations or immunizations have two purposes, to prevent and to keep diseases from spreading. There are many different diseases for which vaccines are commonly supplied for such as polio, rubella, diphtheria, measles and many more. There is a wide variety of different views in today’s world about vaccinations and whether or not they are necessary. First, this paper will explore the history of vaccines, second, the ingredients of vaccines and how they work, third, the rationale of why to vaccinate children and fourth, counter arguments to vaccines. Vaccination practices have been used for hundreds of years.

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Groupthink is not always productive thought. Mob mentality is dangerous sometimes because people will do and say things they would never dream of if they were alone. Crimes have been committed as a group, and everyone is as guilty as the one that actually committed the crime in some cases. Being around the same people day after day, people with the same gripes, political stripes and even of the same religion can lead to a bunker mentality. One person in the group feels slighted by something they have seen or heard and soon the entire group has become offended by something they have never experienced firsthand.

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As well as both the theories as disregard the process of group decision making. The process of an individual decision making appose to a group is very different. There are many factors in effect e: g size, group composite and the overall personality. (Chernyshenko et al 2003). Another characteristic that these two show case is the linearity of the theories.

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