Although groupthink is a buzzword getting more and more attention in popular science these days, it is nothing new; in some ways, we are wired to partake in groupthink. In other ways, it develops over time with a strong tie to group identity.
Groupthink happens when we prioritize comfort through conformity over critical thinking and judgment – it often leads to flawed decision-making as we focus on a perceived consensus and not the real issue at hand.
The Origins of Groupthink
The term was only coined in 1972 by Irving Janis, a research psychologist at Yale. Janis was partially inspired by George Orwell’s 1984 and the idea of doublethink – the ability to simultaneously hold two contradictory beliefs. Janis suggested that people in a group are subject to specific conformity pressures that drive their decision-making, often overriding their own true judgment. To test this idea, Janis analyzed foreign policy decision-making and how groupthink had led to some of the ‘fiascos’ that occurred at the time, like the Bay of Pigs or the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Government policy aside, groupthink has big consequences on ethical decisions. In fields like social work, where professionals often navigate complex ethical dilemmas, the ability to think independently is crucial. Enrolling in a Masters of Social Work online program can provide the necessary training to recognize groupthink and advocate for informed ethical decisions.
The Psychological Mechanisms Driving Groupthink
Groupthink does not exist in a psychological vacuum; it is driven by factors like our desire to conform to tight group identities. It usually happens when members of a certain group have a strong identity and perceive their group as superior, i.e., governments. This preference for ideas coming from within your own group, or ingroup bias, leads to the exclusion of any ideas that come from groups perceived as inferior or simply different.
Groupthink is common in societies or institutions with strong leaders, with many drawing on examples from WW2, like the nazis and their capacity to rationalize evil ideas as a group driven by influential leaders, although groupthink may well have contributed to decisions on all sides.
Groupthink and Decision-Making
The atrocities committed in WW2 were driven by a complex chain of ideas and actions that people smarter than me have failed to explain; however, groupthink likely played a part in that horrifically destructive chain. There are consequences to forgoing critical thinking: as Janis himself said, “The more amiability and esprit de corps there is among the members of a policy-making ingroup, the greater the danger that independent critical thinking will be replaced by groupthink.”
Historical Examples of Groupthink
Groupthink is nothing new; since the beginning of time, humans have arranged themselves into groups with hierarchies, but the complexity of our modern world and the ability to create massive groups can compound the problem further. Here are some of the most interesting examples:
1. The Salem Witch Trials
A fascinating, albeit tragic, case of groupthink occurred between 1692 and 1693 in colonial Massachusetts. During this period, a series of prosecutions and hearings centered on people accused of witchcraft. They were led by a panel of judges who were strongly convinced of the existence of witches and the guilt of those they convicted.
This common belief in the supernatural, combined with a desperate need to rid their community of evil, warped the decision-making process into one of fear and conformity rather than evidence or reason. The community’s shared paranoia created a climate where dissent was risky — anyone who challenged the trials risked being accused of being a witch. As a result, critical thinking was suppressed, and the group’s unchecked force led to the killing of 20 people and the jailing of many more. The trials highlight how groupthink can prolong irrational fears and social pressures that can overpower personal judgment and end in ghastly, unjustified outcomes.
2. McCarthyism
Like the Salem witch trials, McCarthyism during the Red Scare of the 1950s in the United States highlights how groupthink can create panic and fear. This period was marked by intense anti-communist fear, where unfounded accusations of communism led to widespread hysteria. Fueled by political rhetoric and media exaggeration, countless individuals faced blacklisting and ruined lives, often without evidence. This groupthink-driven paranoia suppressed dissent and critical thinking, resulting in irrational decisions and devastating consequences for the accused ‘Reds’.
3. The Capitol Riots
A more recent example of groupthink in action happened on January 6, when a large group, convinced that the 2020 election was stolen, stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop certification of the election results. Amplified by social media and political rhetoric, their shared belief overrode individual reasoning, sparking violence and chaos. Conformity trumped critical thinking, breaching democratic norms. This shows how groupthink persists today, driving reckless collective action.
Overcoming Groupthink: Strategies for Independent Thinking
Luckily, you are now a step ahead of the rest, knowing groupthink exists and being cognizant about when you might be partaking in it, which are great ways to avoid falling into its clutches. Other tools to avoid groupthink include:
1. Assigning a ‘Devil’s Advocate’
Getting someone on your team to pitch the other side of the argument is a great cognitive exercise for them and an eye-opener for groupthink.
2. Get a Different Group to Check Ideas
Just like our government’s checks and balances, you can bring in an independent-ish pair of eyes to check over any ideas you, your team, your company, or whatever other group has arrived at.
3. Documenting Decision Making
By writing down why you decided to do what you did, there is an account of the reasoning; looking back at your thought process staring back at you from the page can shed light on whether you have been making decisions in a logical manner.
Following Your Gut
In a world with often polarising politics, mass media, and the decline in traditional values, our societies are far more susceptible to groupthink than ever before. You could be part of an internet group with thousands of members who can communicate 24/7 or join a political movement with thousands of others–both of which could shape the way you think.
As Orwell said–and highlighted with the irony of doublethink. “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
Being aware of your thoughts is not simple; it takes brainpower out of a busy day to ask, ‘Why did I think that?’ Where did that idea come from?’ and ‘Are my thoughts authentically mine?’
Was this page helpful?
Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.