Janis' Model of Groupthink

Janis' Model of Groupthink describes how groups can make flawed decisions when the desire for harmony and agreement overrides critical thinking. In such situations, members might suppress doubts, ignore alternatives, or fail to critically evaluate ideas to maintain cohesion. This often leads to poor choices because the group values consensus over thorough analysis. Factors like strong leadership, high group cohesion, and stress can increase the risk of groupthink, resulting in unchallenged opinions and potentially disastrous outcomes. Recognizing these patterns helps groups implement checks that encourage open discussion and critical evaluation.