Groupthink

Groupthink
Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which

the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional
decision-making outcome. Group members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus
decision without critical evaluation of alternative ideas or viewpoints. The desire for
unanimity can override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action.
Key characteristics of groupthink include:
1. Illusion of Invulnerability: Members of the group may develop an overconfidence in

the group’s ability to succeed, leading to excessive optimism and risk-taking.
2. Collective Rationalization: Members discredit and explain away warnings contrary
to the group’s thinking.
3. Belief in Inherent Morality: Members believe in the rightness of their cause and
therefore ignore the ethical or moral consequences of their decisions.
4. Stereotyped Views of Outsiders: Negative views of “enemy” groups make effective
responses to conflict seem unnecessary.
5. Direct Pressure on Dissenters: Members are pressured not to express arguments
against any of the group’s views.
6. Self-Censorship: Doubts and deviations from the perceived group consensus are not
expressed.
7. Illusion of Unanimity: The majority view and judgments are assumed to be
unanimous.
8. Mindguards: Some members appoint themselves to the role of protecting the group
from adverse information that might threaten group complacency.
Group Shift (or Group Polarization)
Group shift (also known as group polarization) refers to the tendency for group discussions
to amplify the inclinations of group members. This can result in more extreme positions than
those initially held by individual members. When people are in groups, they tend to make
decisions that are more extreme than their original, individual positions.
Key factors contributing to group shift include:
1. Persuasive Arguments Theory: Individuals become more convinced of their stance

when they hear new arguments in favor of their position during group discussions.
2. Social Comparison Theory: People tend to compare their views with those of others.
In a group, individuals may adopt more extreme positions to align with what they
perceive as the dominant view to gain social approval.
3. Diffusion of Responsibility: Being in a group can diffuse individual responsibility,
making members feel less personally accountable for the consequences of extreme
decisions.
4. Normative Influence: Individuals may conform to what they believe to be the
prevailing group norm, especially if they value their membership in the group and
wish to be accepted by other members.
5. Informational Influence: Individuals may shift their opinions based on the
information shared within the group, especially if they believe the group has better
information or insights.
In summary, while groupthink can lead to poor decision-making due to the suppression of
dissenting opinions and critical thinking, group shift can result in more extreme decision
outcomes due to the amplification of members' initial tendencies. Both concepts highlight the
importance of managing group dynamics to ensure balanced and well-considered decisions
, there are mainly eight symptoms of groupthink. They are as follows.
1. Illusions of invulnerability (excessive optimism of members)

2. Unquestioned beliefs (ignoring moral problems and group and individual acts)
3. Rationalization (stops the member from reconsidering his opinion)
4. Stereotyping (ignore the out-group members who have the ability to challenge the
ideas of the group)
5. Self-censorship (hiding fears)
6. Mindguards (hiding information that have issues)
7. Illusion of unanimity (creates a belief that everyone agrees)
8. Direct pressure
We all have experienced groupthink in our lives. For instance imagine a situation where you
are with a bunch of close friends and discussing a matter before arriving at a decision. All the
other members seem to hold a particular opinion, which is very different to your person
belief. Even if you feel that the decision of the other members of the group is rather faulty,
you will keep quiet because you do not want to taint the harmony of the group. This is a very
simple example of groupthink. Now let us move on to group shift.
What is Group Shift?

Group shift refers to a condition where the position of an individual in the group
changes to adopt a more extreme position due to the influence of the group. This denotes
that the individual would adopt a riskier decision in his group although in reality this is
different to his initial position. Social psychologists highlight that this is mainly because the
risk is shared in the group.
When speaking of group shift, first we need to pay attention to various types of members in
the group. There are members who are conservative and also others who are aggressive. In
group shift what happens is that the conservative members become even more cautious than
before while the aggressive becomes even more risk takers. This is why psychologists point
out that group shift entails taking extreme positions. Also, studies on group shift emphasize
that it is a result of the bonds that are being created within the group. Since it is a group, the
pressure, anxiety, and responsibility are diffused allowing the members to behave in any
manner that suits them. Also, it creates an environment for people to be influenced by others
as well.
Difference Between Groupthink and Group Shift
Groupthink: Groupthink refers to a psychological phenomenon in which members of a
group make decisions based on the pressure that they get from the group.
Group Shift: Group shift refers to a condition where the position of an individual in the
group changes to adopt a more extreme position due to the influence of the group.
Characteristics of Groupthink and Group Shift:
Personal view:
Groupthink: Personal view can be put aside in favor of the popular view.
Group Shift: Personal view becomes much stronger due to group influence.
Pressure:
Groupthink: The group has an immense pressure on the individual.
Group Shift: Similar to Groupthink, the group, has an immense pressure on the individual.

Groupthink

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Groupthink

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which

Key characteristics of groupthink include:

1. Illusion of Invulnerability: Members of the group may develop an overconfidence in

Group Shift (or Group Polarization)

Key factors contributing to group shift include:

1. Persuasive Arguments Theory: Individuals become more convinced of their stance

, there are mainly eight symptoms of groupthink. They are as follows.

1. Illusions of invulnerability (excessive optimism of members)

What is Group Shift?

Characteristics of Groupthink and Group Shift:

Groupthink: The group has an immense pressure on the individual.

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