Groupthink

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What is Groupthink?

Coined by Janis (1971), Groupthink is the phenomenon of reduced decision-making ability due to the tendency of groups to suppress dissent in the interests of group harmony. The most prominent example of groupthink is perhaps the Bay of Pigs affair, where advisors, seeking to preserve the harmony of the group, failed to warn Kennedy of the dangers of the plan.

For more information, see the wikipedia entry at....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink

What are the causes of groupthink?

Illusion of invulnerability

In Janis' studies, groups developed an excessive optimism that blinded them to the warnings of dangers.

Conformity Pressure

What are the results of groupthink?