Page 565 - Understanding Psychology

opinion with a group of people and a majority of the members argue for one side of the issue, the discussion typically pushes the majority to a more extreme view than they held before the discussion (see Figure 19.5). In this process, the majority’s point of view is reinforced. The repetition of the same arguments results in stronger attitudes in support of the majority’s view. If opinions of a group are equally split on an issue before a discussion, though, the group discussion usually results in compromise.
For example, say you think that bikers should wear helmets. One afternoon at lunch, the subject of bikers and helmets comes up. Most of your friends also believe that bikers should wear helmets. As your group discusses the issue, you and your friends use examples and your own rea- soning to argue the point. You come away from the discussion feeling very strongly about the issue—much more strongly than before the dis- cussion. You feel that it should be mandatory for bikers to wear helmets.
Groupthink Throughout history, government leaders have sometimes made poor decisions. When John F. Kennedy became president of the United States in 1961, he faced the problem of Fidel Castro, the Communist leader of Cuba. Castro formed a close alliance with the Soviet Union, and this alliance threatened the security of the United States. Kennedy ordered a secret invasion of Cuba to overthrow Castro. The inva- sion at the Bay of Pigs failed miserably, making Kennedy’s administration look weak and bringing the
world close to nuclear war. Why did Kennedy make this ill-fated decision? Kennedy and his adminis- tration were probably the victims of groupthink.
When groups empha- size sticking together and fail to adequately appraise alternative courses of action, they are guilty of group- think. When engaged in groupthink, groups do not make the best decisions. Group members may re- frain from criticizing one another, and they may not discuss opposing view- points or evaluate the situa- tion critically.
While discussing the Bay of Pigs invasion, Kennedy’s advisers failed to critically examine Kennedy’s decision to invade. Instead, they
groupthink: poor group deci- sion making that occurs as a result of a group emphasizing unity over critical thinking
Figure 19.5 Group Polarization
Each triangle represents the opinion of one individual. Before the group discussion, individuals are divided in the content and strength of their opinions. After the group discussion, individuals’ opinions move toward a more extreme version from their initial opinions. Why do opinions become more extreme during group polarization?
Before group discussion
Group 1
Against
After group discussion
Group 1
Against Source: Peter Gray, Psychology, 1999.
Strength of opinion (a)
Strength of opinion (b)
Group 2
For
Group 2
For
Chapter 19 / Group Interaction 551