intro to comm theory ch 14 group think

ways to evaluate groupthink

- Heurism - theory is used in a variety of contexts and studies - Test of Time - has been used for more than three decades - Scope - limited to decision-making groups in crisis situations - testability - validity problems with concurrence seeking

what does the theory of groupthink propose

- conditions in groups promote high cohesiveness - group problem solving is primarily a unified process - groups and group decision making are frequently complex

identify a condition that promotes group think

- high cohesiveness of the decision-making group - specific structural characteristics of the environment in which the group functions - stressful internal and external characteristics of the situation

problems with group think

- highly cohesive groups frequently fail to consider alternative courses of action - consensus seeking is values over critical assessment of all the information - groups can make premature decisions, which result in lasting and tragic consequences

symptoms of overestimation of the group

- illusion of invulnerability - belief in the inherent morality of the group

identify a specific symptom that exists in the overestimation of a group

- illusion of invulnerability - belief in the inherent morality of a group

the specific structural characteristics or faults that promote groupthink include this

- insulation of the group - lack of impartial leadership - lack of clear procedures for decisions - homogeneity of group members backgrounds

ways to prevent group think as recommended by Janis for vigilant decision making

- looking at the range of objectives - developing and reviewing action plans and alternatives - exploring consequences of each alternative - analyzing previously rejected action plans when new information emerges - having contingency plans

symptoms of pressures toward uniformity

- occurs when group members go along to get along - self-censorship - illusion of unanimity - self-appointed mindguards - pressures on dissenters

preexisting conditions lead to concurrence seeking (trying to reach a consensus) what are the different categories that contribute to this

- overestimation of the group - closed-mindedness - pressures toward uniformity

According to Paul't Hart, identifying a general recommendation for groups that may be prone to groupthink

- require oversight and control - embrace whistle-blowing in the group - allow for objection - balance consensus and majority rule

while embracing whistle-blowing, group members should do this

- should be encouraged to voice concerns rather than to voluntarily suppress them - to question assumptions rather than to accept them and face value, - to continue to disagree and debate when no satisfactory answers to their concerns are given by the rest of the group

according to the assumption of the theory of groupthink, cohesion arises from this

a group's attitudes, values, and patterns of behavior. members who are highly attracted to the other members' attitudes, values, and behaviors are more likely to be called cohesive

definition of group insulation

a groups ability to remain unaffected by outside influences

once a group or team participates in a decision, ________

a higher level of commitment toward the group exists

recommendations for preventing groupthink with the corresponding plans of action (objection)

acknowledge private concerns about ethical issues int eh group

what factor pertaining to groupthink causes members to attach greater importance to preservation of the group than to the issues under consideration?

affiliative constraints - when members withhold their input rather than face rejection from the group

according to Dennis Gouran, when group members participate in decision making, fearing rejection, they are likely to do this

attach greater importance to preservation of the group than to the issues under consideration and will seem more inclined to follow the leader when decision-making time arrives

a situation in which group members ignore warnings that might prompt them to reconsider their thoughts and actions before they reach a final decision is referred to as this

collective rationalization

when groups try to reach a consensus in their final decision this occurs

concurrence seeking

the reason for cohesiveness leading to groupthink is that cohesion____

differs from one group to another

recommendation for preventing groupthink with the corresponding plan of action (control)

establish a parliamentary committee

Irving Janis argues that highly cohesive groups_____

exert great pressure on their members to conform to group standards

define lack of decision-making procedures

failure to provide norms for solving group issues

when decision makers are under great stress imposed by forces outside the group

faulty decision making happens

definition of lack of impartial leadership

groups led by individuals who put their personal agendas first

this is defined as a way of deliberating that group members use when their desire for unanimity overrides their motivation to assess all available plans of action. a way of group deliberation that minimizes conflict and emphasizes the need for unanimity, harmony in the group is the primary goal

groupthink

group similarity is referred to as this

homogeneity

the symptom of groupthink that suggests that silence is consent is this

illusion of unanimity

in the context of the assumption of the theory of groupthink, Nickolas Cottrell and his colleagues believe that group members ____

may be apprehensive or anxious about the consequences that other group members bring to the group

this occurs when group members go along to get along

pressure toward uniformity

by embracing the belief in the inherent morality of the group, group members typically do this

purge themselves of any shame or guilt

this is the trait that is essential in group decision making

quality of effort and quality of thinking are essential in group decision making

group members who shield the group from adverse information are referred to as this

self-appointed mindguards

define problem-solving groups

sets of individuals whose main task is to make decisions and provide policy recommendations

these are sets of individuals whose main goal is to work toward completing jobs assigned to them

task-oriented groups

Dennis Gouran and Randy Hirokawa suggest that if groups recognize that a problem exists, then they will do this

they still must figure out the cause and extent of the problem

identify an example that portrays the lack of impartial leadership in groups

tom convinces his team to take up the airport expansion project as he expects to receive kickback from the mayor

recommendation for preventing groupthink with the corresponding plan of action (whistle-blowing)

voice doubts

symptoms of closed-mindedness

willingness of the group to ignore differences in people and warnings about poor group decisions - out-group stereotypes - collective rationalization