Groupthink & Group Polarization

All of the members of the jury entered the deliberation room believing that the company was negligent and that the man who was suing deserved compensation. However, after discussing the case further, the jury members became even more convinced that the corporation was in the wrong and decided to award a much larger settlement than they originally were considering.

• Groupthink

• Group Polarization

• Good decision-making

In 1986, the NASA management team made the decision to proceed with the planned launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger despite protests from several engineers who feared that extreme temperatures could possibly destroy vulnerable seals. The management team failed to consider this information with tragic consequences as the Challenger exploded during takeoff killing all of the astronauts on board.

• Groupthink

• Group Polarization

• Good decision-making

During the Cuban missile crisis, President Kennedy met with his team of advisors to discuss the problem of Soviet missiles heading to Cuba. Kennedy purposely removed himself from discussion numerous times so that other members would speak more freely. Also, he brought outsiders into his inner circle that did not have loyalty to the team.

• Groupthink

• Group Polarization

• Good decision-making

A team of record producers all really like the sound of a teenage musician they heard on YouTube and met to discuss if they should give her a contract. After the discussion, the group opinion of the artist was even more positive, and they agreed to give her a very large signing bonus and contract.

• Groupthink

• Group Polarization

• Good decision-making

Members of a jury have been sequestered for an entire week trying to decide if there is enough evidence for a conviction against a former government official on trial for corruption and bribery. The group is under intense pressure to come to an agreement. The members who had hesitations soon stop voicing their doubts and simply go along with the jury foreperson who is convinced of the individual’s guilt and a guilty verdict is reached swiftly.

• Groupthink

• Group Polarization

• Good decision-making

Research has consistently shown that brainstorming sessions do not lead to more creative ideas and solutions but instead makes each individual less productive and less creative. One of the reasons for this may have to do with the fact that the dynamic of a group leads individuals to seek agreement and avoid bringing up potentially controversial ideas or problems with popular ideas.

• Groupthink

• Group Polarization

• Good decision-making

While working in a study group Joan asks a question and is given an incorrect answer by Dave, another member, the whole group accepts the answer as true and writes it down. Although another member of the group has questions about the answer, the entire group simply agrees with Dave’s answer without checking it and ultimately they all get the question wrong on the FRQ.

• Groupthink

• Group Polarization

• Good decision-making