Chapter 8 – Groups

Part 2: March 22, 2012

Groupthink• Janis’ 1972 research – analyzed historical group

decisions – Pearl Harbor, Bay of Pigs

• Recent examples?

• Groupthink – tendency of groups to repress dissenting opinions in favor of group harmony and cohesion.

Symptoms of Groupthink

• 1. Illusion of Invulnerability • 2. Belief in Group’s Moral Superiority • Symptoms 1 & 2 combine

• 3. Rationalization • 4. Stereotypes of Opponents

Symptoms 3 & 4 combine

• 5. Pressure to Conform –

• 6. Self-Censoring –

• 7. Illusion of Unanimity –

• 8. Mindguarding –

Reducing Groupthink• Solutions focused on leadership –

• Solutions focused on decision making –

• Solutions focused on group members -

Conflict in Groups

• Groups w/mixed motives can create social dilemmas– If everyone chooses self-interest worst outcome

– Studied in lab using conflict games -• Prisoner’s Dilemma as example (see Fig 8.9)

• How does it work?

• Results?

• Resource Dilemmas as example– Commons example –

• How does it work?

• Results?

• Both are considered ‘non-zero sum games’

• Solutions:– Groups vs. individuals:

– Value orientation:

Conflict Management Strategies

• Options involve use of a 3rd party and extent of their power– Bargaining – – Mediation – – How do they differ?

– Distinguish betw win-win and win-lose orientations:

• Arbitration as alternative– Differs from mediation – how?

– Differences betw conventional and final-offer arbitration:

– Effects of arbitration on long-term outcomes?