The term "groupthink" was a theory developed by psychologist Irving Janis. The theory was intended to explain bad decisions and outcomes made by governments and businesses, which Janis sometimes called "fiascoes." (Vore, 2013) He was really interested in situations where pressure with the group seemed to result in a failure to think clearly. Janis defined groupthink as "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
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Abstract Groupthink can have has its positives and its negatives depending on who you ask and the mindset of the people working together. Groupthink happens most often when the group is already cohesive, is isolated from conflicting opinions and where the leader is open and directive. Groupthink is what takes place when group work happens. Groupthink happens most often when the group is already unified, is isolated from disagreeing sentiments and where the leader is open and directive. External
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Groupthink is a concept that was identified by psychologist Irving Janis. It refers to faulty decision-making in a group. Janis defines groupthink as: "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. Groupthink refers to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment that results from in-group pressures."
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The Groupthink Theory “Researchers have studied the influence of group pressure on individual members” (Byars and Rue, 2007, 238). As defined by Byars and Rue “when group members lose their ability to think as individuals and conform at the expense of their good judgment, groupthink occurs. Members become unwilling to say anything against the group or any member, even if an action is wrong” (Byars and Rue, 2007, 238). “Keeping a group together under any circumstance is a goal in itself. Groups
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This section will look into the term “Groupthink” and how it correlates with Charles Manson and The Manson Family cult. Groupthink, as defined by social psychologist Irving Janis is, “a mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistic appraise alternative courses of action…Groupthink refers to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgement that results
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How to Avoid Groupthink We like people that agree with us; it makes us feel good. But there is a condition that develops when likeminded people agree and reaffirm each other’s decisions and beliefs. It’s called groupthink. It’s a term that was coined by psychologist Irving Janis. Per BusinessDictionary.com (2011), groupthink is defined as “Tendency of the members of a group to yield to the desire for consensus or unanimity at the cost of considering alternative courses of action.” Thompson
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decisions. In the process of making these decision sometimes members of the team tend to agree with each other with out considering other factors and alternatives. This paper outlines Irving Janis’ theory of “groupthink”, which explains how group mentality can stifle effective decision-making. Groupthink is the phenomena whereby the cohesiveness of groups leads to peer pressure which inhibits debate and encourages self-censorship (Janis I L, 1982). As a result, alternative solutions and the implications
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Recent Research Critiquing the Theory of Groupthink Communication Theory, COMM 25902 Professor Ponder April 13, 2010 Groupthink is a common method of deliberating used by members in a group in order to reduce conflict and promote unanimity. People are often unwilling to share conflicting viewpoints to a group of those who hold the same perspective on a subject. Irving Janis developed Groupthink while studying foreign policy decision-making. In doing so, he maintained that
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have to work in groups. This is where the term ‘groupthink’ comes into play. Group think is thinking as a group trying not to force your own individual opinions, biases, and creativity for sakes of the group. A mentality that says the group is more important than my individual self. The research conducted over this topic will give us a better understanding of groupthink and group decision making. This research will also argue and support if groupthink is said to be positive or negative according to
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What is Group Think The term “groupthink” was created by Irving Janis (Moorhead et al. 1998)Irving Janis would describe groupthink as a “mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members’ strivings for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action.” Janis (1972, p. 9) Janis theory would suggest that, members of a group may adopt an idea as an answer to problems without thinking about it appropriately
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