1. According to your textbook, what is a "Group"?
The group consists of two or more people that interact and influence each other such as a psychology class, cult, or a football team. A group has following attributes: a communication structure, power structure, norms, and roles to determine behaviors and responsibilities. Decisions made in the group are better than individual decisions. A group can offer diverse opinions that can lead to better decision making.
2. What is "Social Loafing?" Is a tendency for people in a group to exert less effort since they are working to a common goal. The group situation reduces the evaluation apprehension, as the individuals are not accountable for their efforts. Social loafing contributes to the decline of productivity in the group since people invest reduced task in a task. The diffusion of responsibility contributes to social loafing since an individual cannot feel responsible when working with other. The phenomenon occurs when the following factors are present: a large group, it is difficult to evaluate the contribution of a person.
3. What is de-individualization? It is a phenomenon in a group where they experience normal restraints to lose the sense of responsibility. The group loses inhibitions and the sense of responsibility and can be violent. A high level of social arousal combined with diffused responsibility can lead to people abandoning their duties in the group.
4. What is Group Polarization? It is a phenomenon where the dominant point of view tends to strengthen an extreme position in the group discussion. Group polarization displays hasty and wrong conclusions that replace the accurate conclusions.
5. The influence of the minority: How do individuals influence the group? Any committed minority can influence majority opinion in a group. For the majority to agree to that opinion, the minority must hold a firm opinion. Minority is most influential when consistent and persistence in its views. Self-confident actions can persuade majority to adopt minority’s perspective.
6. What is Groupthink? It is a tendency of a close-knit group to concentrate on consensus at the expense of grave thinking and lucid decision-making. The group exerts pressure to conform to suppress information from without. Groupthink occurs when a group has the following attributes: high cohesiveness in the group where all members have equal commitments to each other, when a group is not prone from external influences, and the presence of a strong leader.
7. According to Irving Janis what happens with Groupthink pressure(s)? Group members can apply direct pressure on a member that expresses a strong argument contrarily to the stereotypes. Group that experienced pressures that led to lax moral judgment, poor tasting of reality, and mental inefficiency. Groups of highly qualified people and the experienced people can make poor decisions.
8. Have you or someone you know been involved in the Groupthink Process? Yes, it occurs in highly cohesive groups, Group of employees that decide to go on a strike.
9. What is the example of political groupthink? Decision made by Nixon administration to cover the Water break-in in 1972.
10. According to Janis, what are the symptoms of Groupthink? Some of the symptoms of groupthink include rationalization, invulnerability, morality, stereotyping, pressure, and unanimity.
11. According to Janis, how can we avoid Groupthink? Encouraging the group to have high priority, the group should adhere to a policy plan, group reconciliation, and invite experts to challenge the group.
12. According to Janis or your textbook, what is the dis-functionality of Groupthink? It is a Tendency of groupthink arriving at a consensus without considering alternatives.
References
Lunenburg, F. C. (2010). International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration. Group Decision Making: The Potential for Groupthink, 13(1), 1-6.
Myers, D. G. (2013). Social Psychology, 11th ed (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
