Groupthink cause of War in Iraq failings

[gasperc]

Groupthink is a term that was coined by Irving Janis to describe why groups of highly intelligent members often make bad decisions. Groupthink is a situation in which maintaining group cohesiveness becomes more important than anything else.

<snip>from the writings of Irving Janis

Illusion of invulnerability-Members of a group believe they are invincible. They become overly optimistic and take extraordinary risks.

Tendency to moralize-members begin to think that those with opposing views are bad. This causes them to disregard ethical consequences of their actions.

Over rationalization-members tend to construct rationalizations that allow them to discount negative information.

Pressures applied to members who express doubts- team wants to know why members are rocking the boat

Illusion of unanimity-assumption that anyone who remains silent is in full accord

Stereotyping of competitive group or enemy- The opposing group is stupid and inferior.

Mind guards-Members protect leader and each other from adverse information offered by those outside the group.

Led to failings like the bay of pigs, the shuttle diasters and now the war in Iraq!

[I_like_chicken]

1. One of many reasons

theres also the fact that the Bush adminstartions LIED about the facts, but groupthink probably led to belief in those facts.

[oblivious]

2. I absolutely agree with both of you.

Groupthink, combined a few key lies, has led to disaster.

We see the same groupthink problem here in Hong Kong. If the Chinese government were able to discuss objectively the benefits and drawbacks of allowing Hong Kong greater democracy, they would see that it offers China immense advantages in terms of the Taiwan issue and in terms of China's efforts to build a more friendly, tolerant and progressive image in Asia and the world.

But it is unthinkable for anyone within the extended group to even think about any benefits. This would be considered treasonous within the power group.

So a few hardliners set the tone, groupthink sets in, and the benefits and dangers are ignored.