Groupthink

Definition and Causes

Groupthink Definition

Groupthink occurs when individuals give in to group pressure, aligning with prevailing opinions, beliefs, or actions to avoid criticism or rejection. This tendency often leads to a loss of critical thinking and moral integrity, as people prioritize group approval over independent judgment and ethical considerations.

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Cause 1: Desire for Harmony

A strong preference for group cohesion and agreement leads members to suppress dissenting opinions to maintain peace and unity.

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Cause 2: Fear of Rejection

Individuals avoid expressing contrary views because they fear criticism, exclusion, or negative social consequences.

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Cause 3: Authoritative Leadership

A dominant, egotistical leader discourages disagreement, making group members feel pressured to conform to their ideas or decisions.

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Cause 4: Lack of Diverse Perspectives

Homogeneity within the group, whether in ideology, background, or expertise, limits the range of viewpoints and fosters conformity.

Homogeneity refers to the quality or state of being uniform, similar, or consistent in composition, structure, or nature. It describes a group or population that shares the same characteristics, such as ethnicity, beliefs, opinions, or backgrounds, often leading to a lack of diversity. Homogeneity can simplify group decisions but may also limit creativity, perspective, and adaptability.

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Cause 5: High Stakes or Stressful Situations

Under pressure to make quick decisions, groups may prioritize agreement over thorough analysis, leading to rushed and poorly considered choices.

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Cause 6: Overconfidence in the Group

A collective belief in the group’s superiority or infallibility discourages members from questioning decisions or considering alternative approaches.

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Cause 7: Isolation from Outside Opinions

Groups that isolate themselves from external feedback or critiques become echo chambers, reinforcing their existing beliefs without considering alternatives.

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Example 1: “Let’s Go Home”

You could be on a work project with a dozen coworkers and as the meeting comes to a close, everyone agrees that the prototype looks great. Even though you have misgivings, you know that everyone wants to leave work and go home, so you keep your mouth shut.

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Example 2: The Joke Isn’t Funny

Your friends at school could all be laughing at a joke that you don’t think is funny. The joke doesn’t make sense, it sounds trite, or it even sounds offensive, but no matter, you fake laugh with the others to go along with the crowd.

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Example 3: Social Perks

Your friends root for a sports team, which you don’t like, but you root along for the free beer, pizza, chips, and guacamole.

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Example 4: “No One Cares What I Say”

Your college classmates are working on a business project and the charismatic leader has persuaded everyone that his idea is outstanding. You have misgivings about this leader’s idea, but you know that your middling popularity can’t match his charisma so you keep your mouth shut. The group project gets a barely passing C grade and you regret your silence.

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Example 5: “This Party Doesn’t Feel Right”

Your corporation has a lavish party full of debauchery and unethical practices. You keep your mouth shut because you don’t want to alienate your colleagues.

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Example 6: Deadlines

You’re a space engineer and you downplay the risks due to pressures to meet deadlines. Your rocket explodes on the launchpad.

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Example 7: “Don’t Call Me a Witch”

Your neighbor is deemed to be a witch. You know her as a harmless person who eats vegan snacks, but you go along with everyone else, calling her a witch because you fear that if you don’t, people will accuse you of belonging to her witch’s covenant.

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Example 8: I Love Taylor Swift

All your friends love Taylor Swift. Her music leaves you cold, but you act like a Swiftie so that no one in your friends group rejects you.

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Suggested Outline for Essay 2

Paragraph 1: Your introduction (personal story of FOMO as your hook)

Paragraph 2: Your thesis with 4 mapping components.

Paragraphs 3-7: Your supporting paragraphs.

Paragraphs 8 and 9: Your counterargument and rebuttal paragraphs.

Paragraph 10: Your conclusion, a powerful restatement of your thesis.

Your last page: Works Cited with 4 sources in MLA format.

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Topics for Your Supporting Paragraphs

• FOMO — Fear of Missing Out; the anxiety that everyone else is living a better life while you’re stuck on the sidelines.
• Groupthink — The herd mentality that smothers dissent and rewards conformity, often leading to disastrous decisions.
• Ethical anesthesia — The numbing of conscience after repeated exposure to corruption or decay, leaving apathy in its place.
• Discount anesthesia — the moral numbing we accept in exchange for low prices, letting us ignore the human cost behind cheap goods.
• Headline drift — The tendency for scandals to vanish from memory as the news cycle churns to the next outrage.

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In-Class Paragraph

Write a 200-word paragraph that explains how Groupthink compromise our critical thinking in the way we buy fashion in the context of young people feeling peer pressure due to marketing and social media.

1. Define the Core Concept (Groupthink)

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• Explain that Groupthink is when people conform to the majority’s opinion to avoid conflict or rejection—even when they know better.�
• Point out that it overrides individual judgment and replaces it with herd behavior.�
• Use a quick example: “Think about a group of friends who all buy the same sneakers, not because the shoes are good, but because everyone else has them.”

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2. Show the Link to Fashion and Marketing

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• Marketing and social media thrive on Groupthink by creating FOMO (fear of missing out).�
• Brands build a sense that if you don’t wear their clothes, you’re left out of the tribe.�
• Influencers model the “must-have” look, and suddenly that look feels like law, not just a choice.

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3. Critical Thinking vs. Conformity

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• Critical thinking means questioning: “Do I even like this trend? Does it fit me, my budget, my values?”�
• Groupthink short-circuits those questions. It tells you: “Don’t think—just buy, or risk being left out.”�
• Stress to students that their paragraph should explain this tension between independent thought and social pressure.

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4. Structure Their Paragraph (200 Words)

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• Topic Sentence: State that Groupthink weakens critical thinking in fashion decisions.�
• Explanation: Define Groupthink and why it appeals to young people.�
• Example: Show how marketing and social media amplify this pressure (e.g., fast fashion trends, sneaker drops, “haul” videos).�
• Analysis: Explain why this hurts individuality and decision-making.�
• Closing Sentence: Drive home the danger—when we follow fashion through Groupthink, we’re not making choices, we’re outsourcing our identity.

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