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Lesson 4: Globalization and the Impact on Communication & Knowledge Sharing

Group Processes: Groupthink

Group processes can have both positive and negative influences during group efforts. As mentioned previously, groupthink can be present on a team with a well-developed group but an undeveloped collective mind can significantly negatively impact a group’s ability to critically evaluate their decisions.

The Challenger shuttle launch is a classic example of groupthink. Engineers at Morton Thiokol had been concerned about o-rings on the solid rocket booster joint for more than eight years prior to the launch. NASA was under increasing external pressure to launch a certain number of flights per year and this eventually led to a loss of effectiveness of their safety and quality assurance program. When it was realized that cold weather could be a problem on the day of the launch, a meeting was held where several Thiokol engineers expressed serious concerns about low temperature and the o-rings. Despite the information being presented to Thiokol managers, a decision was made to launch.

Focus on Theory

Irving Janis was one of the first reserchers to work on groupthink theory. His initial definition of groupthink was:

“I use the term groupthink as a quick and easy way to refer to the mode of thinking that persons engage in when concurrence-seeking becomes so dominant in a cohesive ingroup that it tends to override realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action. Groupthink is a term of the same order as the words in the newspeak vocabulary George Orwell used in his dismaying world of 1984. In that context, groupthink takes on an invidious connotation. Exactly such a connotation is intended, since the term refers to a deterioration in mental efficiency, reality testing and moral judgments as a result of group pressures.” (Janis, 1971)

Source: Janis, 1971.

Watch the following short video trailer on the Challenger shuttle launch.

Note: Video removed. You will have access to the video in the actual course.

Groupthink tendencies can be counterproductive

Symptoms of groupthink (adapted from Hart, 1991):

  • Illusions of invulnerability lead members of the group to be overly optimistic and engage in risk-taking.
  • Unquestioned beliefs lead members to ignore possible moral problems and ignore consequences of individual and group actions.
  • Rationalizing prevents members from reconsidering their beliefs and causes them to ignore warning signs.
  • Stereotyping leads members of the in-group to ignore or even demonize out-group members who may oppose or challenge the groups ideas.
  • Self-censorship causes people who might have doubts to hide their fears or misgivings.
  • “Mindguards” act as self-appointed censors to hide problematic information from the group.
  • Illusions of unanimity lead members to believe that everyone is in agreement and feels the same way.
  • Direct pressure to conform is often placed on members. (Hart, 1991)

Source: Paul Hart (1991)


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