groupthink
GROOP-think
/ˈɡruːpθɪŋk/
The practice of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages creativity or individual responsibility.
Usually carries a negative connotation of flawed decision-making due to a desire for harmony.
The story behind the word. Coined by social psychologist Irving Janis in 1972. He was inspired by George Orwell's '1984' and its concept of 'doublethink.' Janis used it to explain why smart people in groups sometimes make incredibly stupid decisions.
Word relationships
- conformity: Conformity is the behavior; groupthink is the psychological process that drives the behavior in a decision-making context.
- individualism: Individualism prioritizes the independent thought of the person over the group's harmony.
Commonly confused with
- collaboration: Collaboration is positive and constructive; groupthink is restrictive and dangerous.
Collocations
- victim of groupthink
- avoid groupthink
- danger of groupthink
Idioms & expressions
- echo chamber
- yes-man culture
Example sentences
- "The company's failure was blamed on groupthink, as no one dared to challenge the CEO's flawed plan." Analyzing a corporate failure.
- "Groupthink can lead to disastrous outcomes in high-stakes political decisions." A classic psychological study reference.
Memory hook
Think of a group with only one 'brain'—everyone is just thinking the same thing. Groupthink = Group-blink (closing your eyes to the truth to stay with the group).
When not to use
Do not use for simple teamwork or healthy collaboration.
Fun facts
- The Bay of Pigs invasion is often cited by historians as the textbook example of groupthink in the US government.
Related words
Explore more words
Group polarization, consensus, Social loafing, Deindividuation, dissension, Conformity
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