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Group Think

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Group Think
Group Think
Question #2

This type of dysfunctional operation of an organization has many ways and opportunities for failure. The basic fundamentals of this process are the beginnings of failure as groups seek conformity and unity they sacrifice everything in order to maintain peace within the group. Many times this will take the individuals creative thoughts and ability to voice the creative edge thinking away. In many organizations this is a process that is continually used. It is perceived that management wants the organizations operation or process to run without any type of question or waves. Below are listed eight of the main symptoms of group think as detailed by Janis, I. L & Manns book "Decision making"
Symptoms of Groupthink are divided into three types in which they can manifest

themselves:

Type I: Overestimations of the group's power and morality

Type II: Closed-mindedness

Type III: Pressure toward uniformity

When broken down the three types of groupthink can be broken farther down to

eight ways groupthink causes failure.

1. Illusion of invulnerability: Members ignore obvious danger, take extreme risks, and are overly optimistic.
2. Collective Rationalization: Members discredit and explain away warnings contrary to group thinking.
3. Illusions of Morality: Members believe that their decisions are morally correct ignoring the ethical consequences of their decisions.
4. Excessive Stereotyping: The group constructs negative stereotypes of rivals outside the group.
5. Pressure for Conformity: Members' pressure any in a group who expresses arguments against the groups' stereotypes, illusions, or commitment, viewing such opposition and disloyalty.
6. Self-censorship: Members withhold their dissenting views and counter arguments.
7. Illusion of Unanimity: Members perceive falsely that everyone agrees with the group decision silence is seen as consent.
8. Mindguards: Some members appoint themselves to the role of protecting

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