PSY 530 Module 6 DQ 1

PSY 530 Module 6 DQ 1

Groupthink and group polarization are influences that often cause groups to reach different solutions to a problem than individuals. Explain each concept and discuss the conditions that are thought to lead to each. How might the presence of others and institutional groupthink impact helping those who are less fortunate?

Answer:

The concept of groupthink occurs when a group values peace and coherance over accurate analysis and critical evaluation, it can also cause individual members of the group to unquestioningly follow the word of the leader and it can strongly discourage any disagreements with the concensus. Group polarization concept is where a the decisions and opinions of people in a group setting become more difficult than their actual private beliefs.

Irving Janis’ (1972, 1982) groundbreaking research on ‘groupthink’ demonstrates the presence of strong pressures towards conformity in these groups: individual members suspend their own critical judgment and right to question, with the result that they make bad and/or immoral decisions. This pressure can be viewed as an outcome of an organizational culture that accepts certain unwise beliefs or standards for behavior from its employees (i.e., received wisdom). Poor ethical organizational cultures— such as cultures of defiance, neglect, and grudging compliance toward ethical standards—may be the unfortunate result of such pressures (Sauser, 2008; Sauser & Sims, 2007). If, instead, a strong organizational ethical culture based on moral character is to prevail, it must be built intentionally by the leaders of the organization. A condition of groupthink would be an indiviual going along with the destination of the company business retreat youwould like it to be held in florida but the majority of group is thinking Las Vegas although you hate vegas you opt on vegas just because the company event planner and the rest of the group has chosen this destination so you just agree with the group to keep confusion down and to maintain peace with the group.

Group polarization. Perhaps, the most important rationale for employing small group of people to make decisions is the existence of the phenomenon of group polarization, a tendency of making discussion in the group to intensify convergence of group members’ opinions (Klein & Olbrecht, 2011). Isenberg (1986) and Zhu (2009) describe group polarization as the tendency for group members’ pre-meeting average position to be amplified in their post-meeting collective decision. Group polarization is the result of shifts from individually made pre-group meeting decisions to post- group meeting collective decisions concerning a group task (Meyer, 1989; Kim & Park, 2010). According to Friedkin and Johnsen (2011), members of social groups are expected to hold individual pre-group meeting opinions or decisions concerning group tasks before such tasks are discussed in group meetings. However, during such group meeting the tendency is for members to select or to settle for one option from a set of alternatives presented to the group and collectively consider that option to be the choice of the group (Friedkin & Johnsen, 2011)

Group polarization condition would be a regional conference meeting is taking place at a large church, you are against churches because of your religious beliefs as well as other members of the group this complicates the planning of the meeting venue so now its is hard to conduct the planning because of private or actual beliefs and this could lead to extreme disagreements. The presence of others and institutional groupthink can impact the less fortunate by reaching out to them,understanding their needs, and showing compassion which would benefit the less fortunate. This also helps the company as well and builds repore and it shows the world that your corporation is giving back to communities and showing that this company gives back to help impact and better the less fortunate lives.

References:

Sims, R. R., & Sauser, W. I. (2013). Toward a Better Understanding of the Relationships among Received Wisdom, Groupthink, and Organizational Ethical Culture. Journal Of Management Policy & Practice, 14(4), 75-90.

Aloka, P., & Bojuwoye, O. (2013). Group Polarization Effects on Decisions by Selected Kenyan Secondary School Disciplinary Panels. Journal Of Psychology In Africa, 23(2), 275-282.