Communication Theory
Not raising any alternative solutions or issues- groupthink influences the individuals to suppress any points of view that are dissenting.
Lack of independent thinking- group participants lack the ability to isolate themselves from the external influencing factors.
The desire for harmony- members of a particular group try to avoid conflicts and want to reach consensus without enough critical evaluation.
In more complex groups such as juries and the Congress, there is often the pressure to come up with a decision fast. The need for a quick decision may force some of the members to relinquish their stands leading to group polarization. In such groups, most of the members are often allies who hence would likely reach a unanimous decision at the expense of other members who have differing opinions. This suggests that such groups are also prone to groupthink. Repercussions of group think include the lack of exploration of alternative and the primary objective of the group as member avoid communicating their ideas in fear of reprisal. Members may also fail to gather and communicate all the relevant information.
New and emerging technologies such as social media have a huge influence on how we communicate and share information with family and friends. The social integrative needs have been shifted from physical one on one conversation to digital online discussions. Individuals now use Facebook and other platforms to satisfy their social integration and affective needs.
I believe new technologies have negative on our relationships. People are substituting their real life relationships with virtual, online connections which could lead to antisocial behavior which is often linked to mental issues. I think this is one of the major effects of the new communication technologies. However, new technologies provide individuals with the opportunity to rekindle old relationships which would have otherwise been lost (Seidman). New relationships are also easily accessible through the new technologies. We can meet and communicate with new people from across the world.
Work cited
Seidman, Gwendolyn. How Facebook Affects Our Relationships. 28 May. 2015. Web. 16 June. 2016. < https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/close-encounters/201505/how-facebook-affects-our-relationships>
