Question 1

You can reduce the chances of groupthink by following a formal decision-making procedure that encourages members to disagree and evaluate one another's ideas.

Accepted Answer

Following a formal decision-making procedure that includes open discussion and encourages members to disagree and evaluate one another's ideas can help reduce the chances of groupthink.

Question 2

Highly cohesive groups are at greater risk of succumbing to groupthink.

Accepted Answer

Highly cohesive groups have strong bonds and unity among members, which can lead to groupthink, a phenomenon where group members prioritize harmony over critical thinking and decision-making. Groupthink can be detrimental to the group's performance and outcomes, as decisions may be flawed due to a lack of diverse opinions and perspectives.

Question 3

Irving Janis identified a group with structural flaws that inhibit the flow of communication as one of the three major factors that contribute to groupthink.

Accepted Answer

Irving Janis did identify a group with structural flaws that inhibit the flow of communication as one of the three major factors that contribute to groupthink.

Question 4

To avoid groupthink,you should discourage individual group members from working on the group's problem individually.

Accepted Answer

To avoid groupthink, it is actually encouraged to have individuals work on the group's problem individually before coming together to discuss and brainstorm ideas. This allows for a wider range of perspectives and prevents the group from becoming too homogenous in their thinking.

Question 5

The groupthink symptom of mindguarding is illustrated in the following comment by a group member: "Let's not worry about the subcommittee report-they can't even correctly spell the name of the woman who did the research."

Accepted Answer

Mindguarding refers to the suppression of dissenting viewpoints and the protection of the group from information that might disrupt consensus. The comment about the subcommittee's spelling error is more indicative of rationalization or stereotyping, rather than the act of protecting the group from dissenting opinions or negative information.

Question 6

You can enhance group cohesiveness by using terms such as "I" and "my" instead of "we" and "our."

Accepted Answer

Using terms such as "we" and "our" fosters a sense of unity and inclusivity among group members, which enhances group cohesiveness. Using "I" and "my" instead can create an impression of individualism and exclusivity, potentially weakening the group's bond.

Question 7

Group cohesiveness is characterized by high levels of interaction and a friendly and supportive communication climate.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Group cohesiveness is often measured by the extent to which members interact with each other and the quality of their interactions, such as whether they are supportive and respectful of one another.

Question 8

The groupthink symptom of rationalization is illustrated in the following comment by a group member: "What do they expect-miracles? We didn't have enough time,members,or resources to solve this problem."

Accepted Answer

The group member is rationalizing the failure to solve the problem by citing lack of time, members, and resources, rather than acknowledging any potential flaws in their own approach. This is a classic example of groupthink, in which group members collectively justify decisions or actions without fully considering the consequences or alternatives.

Question 9

The groupthink symptom of self-censorship is illustrated in the following comment by a group member: "I'm not crazy about this idea,but everyone else seems to think it's terrific.I guess I'll go along with the group and vote 'yes' when it's time to approve or disapprove the proposal."

Accepted Answer

The group member is self-censoring their true opinion in order to conform with the perceived consensus of the group.

Quiz 8: Conflict and Cohesion in Groups