This is such a touchy topic to discuss but I believe it's a necessary conversation, especially given the current climate we're in as Humans, as Americans, and as Black folks.
Let's get into it. What is groupthink? Groupthink is a tendency, or a psychological phenomenon, that happens when people prioritize harmony and consensus over critical thinking. This often leads to irrational or poor decisions. Groupthink is dangerous in small groups, large companies, or even in industries. Groupthink is when members of a group don't express their opinions or new ideas, or when they fail to acknowledge pertinent information. Normally in groupthink, members fail to adequately assess risks and benefits of the decisions they're being asked to make.
Groupthink happens when there's pressure for conformity, stereotyping, self-censorship, and the illusion of unanimity. It happens in many settings including religion, politics, business, sports, entertainment, and education. It leads to bad decisions when members perceive their group as inherently moral or right, and then they ignore data or information that doesn't support their conclusion. Groupthink can be extremely dangerous in the medical field, in the military, and when it comes to political decisions. It can also be dangerous in business as it can lead to the collapse of companies.
Below are 7 ways folks can avoid the snares of groupthink:
Evaluate ideas critically
Keep your ideas to yourself at first
Have smaller group discussions
Consider an outsider's opinion
Challenge the status quo
Encourage the group to adopt and discuss liminal ideas
Identify and celebrate moments of broad agreement
Remember, although we all belong to various groups, and have deep connections with these groups, we are also all individuals with minds of our own. It would benefit the group as a whole if all members used critical thinking before coming to conclusions on decisions, especially the more important ones.
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