group-think
Collective mental conformity
Groupthink is the tendency for members of a cohesive group to reach consensus without critical evaluation of alternatives.
The desire for harmony or conformity suppresses dissent, leading to poor decisions: Groupthink led them to ignore obvious warning signs.
The term was coined by social psychologist Irving Janis in 1972.
Also spelled group think or group-think.
State of being identical
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- conformismAdherence to accepted standards
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
- adherenceFaithful following of something
obedience · acquiescence · docility · submission · conventionality · assimilation · homogeneity · standardization
Self-reinforcing information environment
- herd mentalityTendency to follow crowds
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- mob mentalityCollective irrationality in groups
- cognitive biasSystematic deviation from rationality
confirmation bias · social influence · collective delusion · deindividuation · social conformity · Janis · Bay of Pigs
Complete group agreement
- agreementShared position between parties
- accordHarmony between parties
- concurrenceState of agreeing
- cohesionTendency to bind together
solidarity · collective decision · false consensus · alignment · harmony · like-mindedness · common ground
Influence from one's equals
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- ostracismBanishment from a group
- shamingCausing feelings of disgrace
influence · cliques · gatekeeping · loyalty tests · exclusion · silencing · marginalization · power dynamics
Appointed group for duties
- boardFlat rigid panel
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- task forceTemporary goal-oriented team
- corporate cultureShared workplace values, norms
bureaucracy · hierarchy · management team · decision-making · meetings
uniformity
State of being identical
- complianceAdhering to requirements
- conformismAdherence to accepted standards
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
adherence · obedience · acquiescence · docility · submission · conventionality · assimilation · homogeneity · standardization · unison
echo chamber
Self-reinforcing information environment
- herd mentalityTendency to follow crowds
- polarizationSeparation into opposing extremes
- mob mentalityCollective irrationality in groups
cognitive bias · confirmation bias · social influence · collective delusion · deindividuation · social conformity · Janis · Bay of Pigs
unanimity
Complete group agreement
- agreementShared position between parties
- accordHarmony between parties
- concurrenceState of agreeing
cohesion · solidarity · collective decision · false consensus · alignment · harmony · like-mindedness · common ground
peer pressure
Influence from one's equals
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- ostracismBanishment from a group
shaming · influence · cliques · gatekeeping · loyalty tests · exclusion · silencing · marginalization · power dynamics · closed ranks
committee
Appointed group for duties
- boardFlat rigid panel
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
- task forceTemporary goal-oriented team
corporate culture · bureaucracy · hierarchy · management team · decision-making · meetings
group-thinkcritical thinking
Objective evaluation of information
nonconformity · contrarianism · dissent · freethinking · freethought
group-thinkcritical analysis
Evaluative examination of work
due diligence · intellectual rigor · evidence-based reasoning · skeptical inquiry · forensic analysis
group-thinkloyal opposition
Principled dissent within system
cognitive diversity · heterodoxy · pluralism · open debate · marketplace of ideas