Sunday, June 25, 2006
Group Think
According to this site, these are the symptoms of Group Think:
I have witnessed 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 at several different fora situated in Left Blogistan. (That is not to say Group Think does not occur in the conservative blogosphere, but I don't crusade there.)
|
Eight Main Symptoms of Group Think
1. Illusion of Invulnerability: Members ignore obvious danger, take extreme risk, and are overly optimistic.
2. Collective Rationalization: Members discredit and explain away warning contrary to group thinking.
3. Illusion of Morality: Members believe their decisions are morally correct, ignoring the ethical consequences of their decisions.
4. Excessive Stereotyping:The group constructs negative sterotypes of rivals outside the group.
5. Pressure for Conformity: Members pressure any in the group who express arguments against the group's stereotypes, illusions, or commitments, viewing such opposition as disloyalty.
6. Self-Censorship: Members withhold their dissenting views and counter-arguments.
7. Illusion of Unanimity: Members perceive falsely that everyone agrees with the group's decision; silence is seen as consent.
8. Mindguards: Some members appoint themselves to the role of protecting the group from adverse information that might threaten group complacency.
I have witnessed 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 at several different fora situated in Left Blogistan. (That is not to say Group Think does not occur in the conservative blogosphere, but I don't crusade there.)
# posted by O'Brien @ 6/25/2006 09:22:00 PM 
