What happens when everyone has the same opinion
For a long time it was common knowledge that group decision making was better than individual decision making. Even today we often celebrate collaborations, consensual decisions and teamwork.
However, as early as 1972 a yale psychologist, lrving janis, pointed out in a spectacular,radical paper that sometimes also groups make very bad decisions. Janis had studied such debacles as pearl Harbor or the vietnam war. And what he found was that these groups had rejected critical opinions and outside information.
In the warmth of a like-minded group people reassure themselves that they are right, that their analysis is superior to that of outsiders,that their consensus is a sign of the strength of the group, when in fact they have been looking only for evidence that confirmed their objectives. And any doubts in the room were silenced because if everyone seems enthusiastic and agrees with the plan, we will feel reluctant to speak up - even if we have serious doubts. This, by the way, seems to be one of the governing principles of Donald Trump's leadership strategy: surround yourself with yes-sayers.
Janis called the phenomenon that occurs when the desire for group consensus is stronger than the urge to express an unpopular opinion 'Groupthink'. If this happens, the group is at risk of making very poor decisions.And even more: if many people are too sure of the same thing,they ecome radical and imprudent. Researchers have observed this phenomenon among jury members: the greater the consensus, the harsher the judgement, and the surer the jury is that its verdict is correct.
When does groupthink occur?
Typically, when there is:
- High group cohesiveness
- High pressure to make a good decision
- Strong,persuasive, directive leadership
How can we avoid groupthink?
Janis suggested several steps for preventing groupthink. Here are two great recommendations if you are the leader of a team:
- 'Give a high priority to airing objections and doubts.' In other words: encourage all group members to speak their mind. Even and especially if the opinion is unpopular.
- Divide your team into two and form competing teams to study the same problem. Compare results.
"When all think alike,no one is thinking."
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