Introduction
Being a part of a team and having to participate in its activities and decision-making processes may be challenging for some people and both beneficial and destructive for the whole group. To make sure the achieved consensus is likely to be effective, it is essential to have an in-depth and active discussion where everyone is allowed to take part and express their concerns or opinions. However, such a phenomenon as groupthink can result in adverse consequences. Essentially, groupthink is a process of group social pressures leading to suboptimal decisions and the members making choices not out of logic and consideration but to reach an agreement (Kenton, 2020). Once I was in such a situation when my classmates and I were doing a group project. Time was running out; we trusted each other, did not prepare for the discussion, and made a hasty decision to finally reach a consensus. This led to the failure of the project and an unsatisfactory grade.
Symptoms of Groupthink
It is considered that there are eight signs or traits of groupthink that all together may lead to disasters or flawed conclusions. These symptoms include invulnerability, rationale, morality, stereotypes, pressure, self-censorship, unanimity illusion, and mind guards (Kenton, 2020). The first trait means that group members share a strong illusion of invulnerability that encourages them to make rash decisions, ignore the danger, and take abnormal risks. It also creates excessive optimism, which leads to a common misperception of reality. Second, collective rationalization is about discounting and ignoring any negative feedback and warnings that can result in the group’s reconsideration of the previous choices and assumptions. Then, the morality symptom means that the victims of groupthink ignore possible ethical consequences of the consensus and have an unquestionable belief in the whole group’s inherent morality.
The fourth trait is about some individuals having a negative and biased opinion about their opponents. Further, this behavior’s victims may apply direct and intense pressure on those who express concerns about the joint decisions of the group (Kenton, 2020). Therefore, it is not allowed for everyone to express their opinions. Self-censorship means that a member of the team keeps silent and avoids deviating from the consensus. Seventh, they all believe in the unanimity of the team’s views and judgments. Finally, groupthink victims voluntarily start protecting the whole group from any information that may compromise the shared decision or view.
Antecedents of the Groupthink
The presence of several factors may increase the likelihood of groupthink occurrence. For example, according to Kenton (2020), high cohesiveness and the absence of previous or current conflicts within the group make it easier for everyone to reach a quick consensus. Further, the group’s insulation from relevant outside information sources and the lack of systematic procedures for their search is also significant antecedents of groupthink since these conditions reduce the group member’s likelihood of developing personal opinions. Directive leadership and group members’ backgrounds’ homogeneity also contribute to groupthink occurrence. Finally, in case the team members are in a situation of severe stress and have almost no chance of finding a good solution, they are likely to want to get a quick consensus by agreeing to a proposal advocated by the leader.
Preventing Groupthink in the Future Decisions
Several steps should be made to prevent the occurrence of groupthink. To begin with, it is essential to create an environment where every person feels free to express their concerns and views regarding the suggested solutions. I need to stop keeping silent and learn to take a more proactive stance in future discussions. What is more, it is crucial to avoid rushing and take time so that everyone may thoroughly consider and analyze the decision the group is about to make. Finally, I also need to remember that my opinion matters. I can have really valuable ideas, and sometimes sharing them with the group may become vital and help avoid groupthink.
Reference
Kenton, W. (2020). Groupthink. Investopedia.