Deck 14: Groupthink

Question 1

All of the following are recommendations provided by Hart for reducing groupthink EXCEPT

A) balance consensus and majority rule
B) discourage whistle-blowing
C) require oversight and control of groups
D) allow for objections by group members

Answer 1

discourage whistle-blowing

Question 2

Janis's research on group dynamics, which led to the development of Groupthink Theory, resulted primarily from his investigation and analyses of

A) foreign policy decisions
B) corporate takeovers
C) assessments of student work groups in classrooms
D) hospital administrative meetings

Answer 2

foreign policy decisions

Question 3

_________ is/are used to refer to the notion that group members withhold their input in meetings rather than stating their opinions and risking rejection.

A) Communication apprehension
B) Group phobia
C) Affiliative constraints
D) Policy constraints

Answer 3

Affiliative constraints

Question 4

All of the following are assumptions that guide Groupthink Theory EXCEPT

A) Group problem solving is primarily a unified process.
B) Decision-making processes are frequently complex.
C) Conditions in groups promote high cohesiveness.
D) Groups work in ways that discourage homogeneity.

Question 5

Cohesiveness of the group may emerge as a problem because

A) Cohesiveness is generally experienced in the same manner across groups, and the results of cohesion can be generalized from one group to another.
B) In highly cohesive groups, members generally feel dissatisfied with the group experience and other group members.
C) Highly cohesive groups tend to exert great pressure on their members to conform to the group's standards.
D) Cohesiveness typically results in group members resisting the temptation to conform.

Question 6

All of the following are antecedent conditions to groupthink EXCEPT

A) members' ability to step into the role of group leader at a given time
B) stressful internal and external characteristics of the situation
C) high cohesiveness among group members
D) lack of decision-making procedures established within the group

Question 7

A group's belief that it is special enough to overcome any obstacles or setbacks is referred to as:

A) belief in its inherent morality
B) collective rationalization
C) illusion of invulnerability
D) self-censorship

Question 8

Group members who shield the group from adverse information are

A) conscientious objectors
B) self-appointed mindguards
C) dissenters
D) opinion leaders

Question 9

As the decision whether to launch a new product to prevent tooth decay was being debated, one of the product development specialists commented, "What a great product! We have created something that will help Americans maintain the enamel on their teeth. I don't know why those health critics are accusing us of putting a potentially harmful product out on the market. After all, our goal is to help people, not to hurt them. We're interested in doing what is in the best interest of the public." She has demonstrated which of the following symptoms of groupthink?

A) illusion of invulnerability
B) out-group stereotypes
C) belief in the inherent morality of the group
D) collective rationalization

Question 10

The act of not voicing one's own opposing views and of utilizing in-group rhetoric to bolster the decision of the group is known as

A) self-censorship
B) collective rationalization
C) promoting out-group stereotypes
D) developing an illusion of invulnerability

Question 11

All of the following are symptoms of Groupthink EXCEPT

A) overestimation of the group
B) closed-mindedness
C) insulation of the group
D) pressures toward uniformity

Question 12

All of the following are suggestions related to engaging in vigilant decision making EXCEPT

A) looking at the range of objectives group members wish to achieve
B) avoiding previously rejected action plans when choosing a plan
C) developing and reviewing action plans and alternatives
D) having a contingency plan for failed suggestions

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT true about potential factors identified by Shaw as influencing group decisions?

A) Various leadership styles will emerge as groups develop and discuss issues.
B) The sex composition of the group has an impact on the decision-making process.
C) The cultural background of members has little influence on decisions that are made by groups.
D) The intelligence of group members will influence the decisions that are made.

Question 14

The fact that group members must continue to understand the many alternatives available to them and be able to distinguish among them, as well as not only understand the task at hand but also the people who provide input on that task, illustrates which assumption of Groupthink?

A) Groups and group decision-making are frequently complex.
B) Conditions in groups promote high levels of knowledge.
C) Group problem-solving is primarily a unified process.
D) Factors such as the age and cultural background of members have relatively little impact on the decision-making process.

Question 15

_________ refers to the similarity among group members.

A) Hegemony
B) Heterogeneity
C) Homophily
D) Homogeneity

Question 16

An employee who is willing to report unethical corporate practices to other is called a(n)

A) conscientious objector
B) whistle-blower
C) objector-dissenter
D) ethics identifier

Question 17

All of the following are specific structural faults that may put a group at high risk for Groupthink EXCEPT

A) insulation of the group
B) lack of impartial leadership
C) lack of decision-making procedures
D) illusion of unanimity

Question 18

Some scholars have suggested that Groupthink may have been operating when the U.S. made the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003. Among other arguments, they cite the fact that some government and military leaders predicted that victory in Iraq would be swift because the terrorists/insurgents were not organized or technologically advanced enough to fight U.S. forces successfully. This could be considered an example of

A) belief in the inherent morality of the group
B) collective rationalization
C) out-group stereotypes
D) self-appointed mindguards

Question 19

As a member of a task team at work, Faith really feels her group has been on a roll. The group's final report has been welcomed enthusiastically by supervisors, they were all given a small bonus for their efforts, and the group members feel a renewed sense of commitment to their company. If the group was assigned a new task, they may be prone to which principle of groupthink?

A) illusion of invulnerability
B) lack of impartial leadership
C) self-censorship
D) collective rationalization

Question 20

With which communication tradition is Groupthink most closely associated?

A) semiotic
B) socio-cultural
C) rhetorical
D) socio-psychological

Question 21

Groups are generally better at solving problems in the long run than individuals because members have access to more information.

Question 22

Groupthink is associated with both the small group and organizational contexts.

Question 23

Groups that have a clearly defined plan for the procedures that should be followed in the decision-making process will be more susceptible to Groupthink.

Question 24

Outside pressures are stressful for a group that is involved in making a decision.

Question 25

Collective rationalization refers to a group member's tendency to minimize his or her doubts and to refrain from presenting counterarguments.

Question 26

When a group is closed-minded, it tries to entertain all options before a final decision is made.

Question 27

One of Janis's suggestions for avoiding Groupthink or its negative consequences is to have a contingency plan for failed recommendations or suggestions.

Question 28

The primary concern related to Groupthink is that the group may arrive at a flawed decision if the desire for unanimity overrides the desire for a thorough consideration of all relevant information.

Question 29

Groupthink has been criticized because it has not been applied to political contexts.

Question 30

Groupthink has been criticized because it has not withstood the test of time.

Question 31

Identify and explain the assumptions of Groupthink presented by the authors.

Question 32

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages associated with having a high level of cohesiveness among members of a group.

Question 33

Do you agree with 't Hart's criticism that Janis's suggestions for avoiding Groupthink "inadvertently erode collegiality and foster group factionalism"? Do you think 't Hart's suggestions are preferable, or do they introduce other unintended negative consequences? Can the two sets of suggestions coexist?

Question 34

Identify and explain the three primary categories of Groupthink. Be sure to identify and explain the symptoms associated with each of these categories.

Question 35

Using our standard criteria for theory evaluation discussed in Chapter 3, evaluate Groupthink.

Question 36

Discuss the role of accountability in companies today. Given the numerous ethical problems associated with corporations today, how might Groupthink help inform company leaders?

Question 37

Analyze a recent government decision using Groupthink. Identify all the relevant concepts from the theory, and come to a conclusion as to whether Groupthink may have been at work in influencing the outcome. Support your ideas with examples.

Question 38

Reflect on a group experience you have had. Come to a conclusion about whether you think Groupthink occurred, identifying the relevant concepts from the theory. If so, what do you think contributed to it, and what (if anything) was done to overcome it? What was the outcome? If you do not believe Groupthink occurred, explain why you think the group was successful in averting it.