Social Behavior 3

RESPOND:

“Two heads are better than one.”A saying that means “it is better to make decisions in a

group than individually.”

Do you agree, or disagree?

Social Impact on BehaviorHow did cult leader Jim Jones convince

900 people to commit “revolutionary suicide” in 1978?

GroupthinkA phenomenon that occurs when the desire to reach a

consensus in a group actually leads to the suppression of good ideas and good judgement.

Group members try to minimize conflict, which

causes a lack of critical or dissenting viewpoints. This

often occurs when members are very loyal to the group, and do not feel a

desire to challenge it.

In a “groupthink” situation, you may have individual ideas or opinions to share, but feel that you can not or

should not share them.

GroupthinkLet’s increase

the price of our product! YEAH!

GroupthinkI think that’s a bad idea, but everyone probably agrees

with him.

“Illusion of Unanimity”

I think that’s a bad idea, but everyone probably agrees

with him.

I think that’s a bad idea, but everyone probably agrees

with him.

I think that’s a bad idea, but everyone probably agrees

with him.

I think that’s a bad idea, but everyone probably agrees

with him.

I think that’s a bad idea, but everyone probably agrees

with him.

“Illusion of Unanimity”

When group members assume that everyone in the group agrees about something, but in reality, people

are censoring their true opinions.

GroupthinkGroupthink is most likely when…

1. The group members are homogeneous (similar to each other)

2. The group members have an outspoken leader

3. The group members are isolated

4. The group members fear negative consequences associated with leaving the group

+NOTE: People are more likely to conform to a new group if they feel like they

have been rejected by groups in the past.

Groupthink ExampleThe space shuttle

Challenger was scheduled to take off on January 28, 1986. The flight had been postponed once already

due to bad weather.

However, the company that made the ship’s rubber O-rings reported that the

weather on launch day was too cold, and could cause a fuel leak.

Groupthink Example

NASA called a private meeting, and invited representatives from the company that made the O-rings. All group members conformed

to NASA’s desire to launch the ship.

The result was bad decision- making.

Video

1. Encourage all group members to

participate in discussion.2. Encourage people to share dissenting

or differing opinions.3. Critically discuss all alternatives and

ideas before making a decision.4. Invite experts from outside the group

to share their ideas and opinions.5. Have the group leader share his/her

ideas last, after group members get the chance to share ideas.

Preventing Groupthink:

Social Impact on Behavior• Groups create pressure to conform

Normative InfluenceInformational Influence

• We can be manipulated to comply• Authority figures can compel us to obey

How did cult leader Jim Jones convince 900

people to commit “revolutionary

suicide” in 1978?