Myers, "Groupthink"

Symptoms: Illusion of invulnerability

Creates excessive optimism that encourages extreme risks. i.e., laughing about the idea of the Japanese bombing dismissed the possibility that it could be true. Their optimism blinded them to all warnings.

Symptoms: Self-censorship

Doubts and deviations from the perceived group consensus are not expressed. i.e., Since disagreements were often uncomfortable and the group appeared to be in consensus, members would withhold or discount their misgivings.

Groupthink

Groupthink occurs when a homogenous highly cohesive group is so concerned with maintaining unanimity that they fail to evaluate all their alternatives and options. Groupthink members see themselves as part of an in-group working against an outgroup opposed to their goals. A group is especially vulnerable to groupthink when its members are similar in background, when the group is insulated from outside opinions, and when there are no clear rules for decision making.

Janis's Concept of Groupthink

Janis believed those blunders were bred by the tendency of decision making groups to suppress dissent in the interests of group harmony. In work groups, camaraderie is good for moral and boosts productivity, but close knit groups may pay the price. Groupthink sprouts from: -a cohesive group -relative isolation of the group from dissenting viewpoints -a directive leader that signals what he or she favors

Symptoms: Pressure towards conformity

Members are under pressure not to express arguments against any of the group's views. i.e., People would reject people who raised doubts about the groups assumption. Not by a valid argument, but my sarcasm, making them feel stupid.

Symptoms: Unquestioned belief in the group's morality

Members believe in the rightness of their cause and therefore ignore the ethical or moral consequences of their decisions. i.e., why would they question Kennedy or the group if they believed that they all had that correct morals? Why would the group do anything wrong then?

Symptoms: Rationalization

Members discount warnings and do not reconsider their assumptions. i.e., Often people in politics will spend more time rationalizing and defending their actions than actually reflecting or rethinking their decisions.

Mindguards

Members protect the group and the leader from information that is problematic or contradictory to the group's cohesiveness, view, and/or decisions. Information what would call into question the morality and effectiveness of their decisions.

Symptoms: Stereotyped view of enemy/opponent

Negative views of "enemy" make effective responses to conflict seem unnecessary. i.e., Participants will consider their enemies to evil to negotiate with or too weak or unintelligent to defend themselves against the planned initiative.

Symptoms: Illusion of unanimity

The majority view and judgments are assumed to be unanimous. i.e., the pressure not to go against the consensus creates the illusion that everyone agrees when it may be likely many people are just staying silent.