Groupthink Case

Running head: GROUPTHINK 1

Groupthink

Michael Cain (4223718)

American Military University

Professor Leslie A. Weatherly

June 26, 2011

GROUPTHINK 2

Groupthink

For this assignment we are asked about the term “groupthink” and the definitions and examples of it. After typing this term into www.answers.com the definition they gave me was “The act or practice of reasoning or decision-making by a group, especially when characterized by uncritical acceptance or conformity to prevailing points of view.” After looking at this definition I get the obvious from it, basically being able to make decisions in a group as a whole while keeping every person’s opinion in mind and their points of view. A good thing about groupthink is that you can make more complex decisions a bit easier. It is true that you can come to conclusions better in a group setting then individually. This is true because you can get many perspectives on the topic, you are able to correct things that you know are incorrect, and you can even provide social support. I believe that working as a group on more complex decision making because you get that variety of input, which can definitely benefit you in the outcome. The groupthink can also end on bad terms as well. New perspectives and ideas can be shot down which can cause tension and a lack of interest, or a grudge against some. Also if the social support only wants to go with ideas from the well-known or accepted information, this could lead to some individuals not feeling as important as others. This can also cause the group to go down the drain due to low morale and negative feelings towards each other.

There are many examples of groupthink out there and I will explain a few in my opinion.