Η ασθένια της Κύπρου: Groupthink

Groupthink is any decision-making process in which group members go along with what they believe is the consensus. Groupthink may cause groups to make hasty, irrational decisions, where individual doubts are set aside, for fear of upsetting the group’s balance. The term is usually used as a derogatory term after the results of a bad decision.

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

In order to make groupthink testable, Irving Janis devised eight symptoms that are indicative of groupthink (197).

1. A feeling of invulnerability creates excessive optimism and encourages risk taking.
2. Discounting warnings that might challenge assumptions.
3. An unquestioned belief in the group’s morality, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions.
4. Stereotyped views of enemy leaders.
5. Pressure to conform against members of the group who disagree.
6. Shutting down of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.
7. An illusion of unanimity with regards to going along with the group.
8. Mindguards- self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting opinions.