Groupthink

1. Groupthink: A Powerful Force Shaping Society

There is nothing they want more than to exercise their morally superior scorn for anyone who does not share their mind-set.

Groupthink defined: Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making. It is characterized by:

• A shared illusion of invulnerability
• Collective rationalization of contradictory information
• Stereotyping of out-groups as weak or evil
• Self-censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus
• Direct pressure on any member who expresses arguments against the group's stereotypes or illusions

Historical examples: Groupthink has shaped major historical events and societal shifts:

• The French Revolution's descent into the Reign of Terror
• Nazi Germany's rise and fall
• The Soviet Union's adherence to Communist ideology
• The 1960s cultural revolution in Western societies

Modern manifestations: In contemporary society, groupthink manifests in various forms:

• Political polarization
• Social media echo chambers
• Corporate decision-making
• Academic and scientific consensus-building

2. Political Correctness: The Modern Manifestation of Groupthink

The real victims now seen as needing official protection were the 'snowflake' students themselves.

Origins of political correctness: Political correctness emerged in the late 20th century as a well-intentioned effort to promote inclusivity and respect for marginalized groups. However, it has evolved into a form of groupthink that:

• Polices language and thought
• Suppresses dissenting viewpoints
• Creates a culture of victimhood

Impacts on society: The rise of political correctness has led to:

• Self-censorship in public discourse
• The creation of "safe spaces" in universities
• Increased social tensions and polarization
• A chilling effect on free speech and open debate

Backlash and consequences: The extreme enforcement of political correctness has resulted in:

• The rise of populist movements
• Increased skepticism towards mainstream media and institutions
• A growing divide between urban, educated elites and rural, working-class populations

3. The Rise of Identity Politics and Intolerance

The sexual revolution of the Sixties had not produced 'a utopia of untrammelled satisfaction', and 'above all, many instances of regret.'

Identity politics defined: Identity politics is the tendency for people to form political alliances based on their shared race, gender, sexual orientation, or other aspects of personal identity. This approach has:

• Fragmented society into competing interest groups
• Emphasized differences over common ground
• Led to increased intolerance of opposing viewpoints

Manifestations of identity politics:

• The #MeToo movement
• Black Lives Matter
• LGBTQ+ activism
• White nationalism

Consequences of identity-based groupthink:

• Erosion of national unity and shared values
• Difficulty in addressing complex societal issues
• Increased polarization and social conflict
• The rise of "cancel culture" and public shaming

4. The Sexual Revolution and Its Unintended Consequences

The power of second-hand thinking, and the crucial role played in shaping it by those who have been accorded some position of 'prestige'.

The sexual revolution's promises: The 1960s sexual revolution promised:

• Greater sexual freedom and expression
• Liberation from traditional moral constraints
• Equality between genders

Unintended consequences:

• Breakdown of traditional family structures
• Increase in single-parent households
• Rise in sexually transmitted diseases
• Commodification of sex and human relationships

Long-term societal impacts:

• Changing gender roles and expectations
• Evolving definitions of marriage and partnership
• Increased acceptance of diverse sexual orientations
• Ongoing debates over sexual ethics and consent

5. The European Project: A Case Study in Groupthink

The European Project was itself ultimately a product of the make-believe inseparable from groupthink.

Origins of the European Union: The EU was conceived as a means to:

• Prevent future wars in Europe
• Create economic interdependence
• Foster a shared European identity

Groupthink in EU decision-making:

• Unwavering commitment to "ever-closer union"
• Dismissal of Eurosceptic concerns
• Rigid adherence to centralized bureaucracy

Consequences of EU groupthink:

• Brexit and rise of Euroscepticism
• Economic disparities between member states
• Challenges to national sovereignty
• Difficulty in addressing migration crises

6. Global Warming: Science Meets Politics in Groupthink

The belief in man-made climate change is only one of the countless other instances of the power of groupthink in our world today, all behaving according to those rules identified by Irving Janis.

The climate change consensus: The scientific community largely agrees that:

• Global temperatures are rising
• Human activities contribute to this warming
• Urgent action is needed to mitigate potential consequences

Groupthink in climate science and policy:

• Marginalization of skeptical scientists
• Exaggeration of worst-case scenarios
• Politicization of scientific research

Challenges to addressing climate change:

• Balancing economic growth with environmental protection
• Overcoming international disagreements on responsibility and action
• Addressing the complexity and uncertainty of climate systems

7. Darwinism and Intelligent Design: Scientific Groupthink

Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to the belief in special creation – both are concepts which believers know to be true, but never, up to the present, has been capable of proof.

Darwinian evolution: The theory of evolution by natural selection has become:

• The dominant paradigm in biology
• A cornerstone of modern scientific understanding

Challenges to Darwinism:

• Gaps in the fossil record
• The complexity of biological systems
• The emergence of irreducibly complex structures

The Intelligent Design controversy:

• Proposal of an intelligent designer to explain biological complexity
• Rejection by the scientific establishment as "unscientific"
• Debates over the nature of science and its boundaries

8. The Information Age: Fragmenting Society into Echo Chambers

Confronted with such a wide range of sources, the average users – if there are such people – will select those which they are comfortable, essentially those which tell them what they want to know and confirm their pre-existing prejudices.

The information revolution: The rise of the internet and social media has:

• Democratized access to information
• Created new platforms for communication and self-expression
• Accelerated the spread of ideas and news

Formation of echo chambers:

• Algorithmic curation of content
• Self-selection of information sources
• Confirmation bias in information processing

Consequences of information fragmentation:

• Increased polarization of public opinion
• Spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories
• Erosion of shared reality and common ground

9. Brexit: A Modern Example of Groupthink in Action

Brexit was compared to an earthquake in which pent-up forces were suddenly released, 'tearing open new fault lines and energizing old ones such as inequality, de-industrialization, globalization, imperial retreat, immigration and austerity'.

The Brexit debate: The UK's decision to leave the EU revealed:

• Deep divisions within British society
• Conflicting visions of national identity and sovereignty
• Tensions between globalization and localism

Groupthink on both sides:

• Remain: Dismissal of concerns about EU overreach and immigration
• Leave: Oversimplification of the benefits and challenges of leaving the EU

Consequences of Brexit groupthink:

• Polarization of British politics and society
• Economic uncertainty and disruption
• Strains on the UK's constitutional arrangement

10. The Dangers of Unchecked Groupthink in Decision-Making

When people get collectively carried away by groupthink not anchored in reality, the consequences unfold through a succession of five identifiable stages.

The stages of groupthink:

1. Anticipation: Circumstances combine to offer an exciting new worldview
2. Dream: Initial success reinforces the group's beliefs
3. Frustration: Unforeseen consequences begin to intrude
4. Nightmare: Reality closes in from all sides
5. Collision with reality: The make-believe either falls apart or fades away

Dangers of unchecked groupthink:

• Poor decision-making and policy failures
• Suppression of critical thinking and dissent
• Erosion of democratic institutions and processes
• Societal fragmentation and conflict

Strategies for combating groupthink:

• Encouraging diversity of thought and opinion
• Fostering a culture of open debate and criticism
• Implementing structured decision-making processes
• Regularly reassessing assumptions and beliefs

Last updated: October 2, 2024