This article is part of an ongoing series that began with Fallacies and Cognitive Biases.
The above picture is a detail from "50 Cognitive Biases to be aware of so you can be the very best version of you"
"Due to a desire for conformity and harmony in the group, we make irrational decisions, often to minimize conflict."
This cognitive bias occurs when we agree with others for social benefit and not because the idea is correct or in itself valuable.
This is a risk management tool, and a deceptive one. It reduces individual risk at the expense of systemic risk. However, it is not without value.
As with the Bandwagon Effect, Groupthink allows others to expend the effort and take the risk of researching ideas. Mindless repetition is in the short term cheap. If the idea is sound enough the cost of Groupthink is minimal. Things get done, everyone is on good terms, and the Groupthinker is spared the expense of making up his own mind.
Costs are likely to arise over time. Groupthink will work as long as the ideas are sound but the mental strength of the group suffers. When a different kind of problem occurs the group will not be as ready for it as it might have been.
So where does Groupthink provide long-term value?
The collected experience of a people needs to be conveyed quickly and children will absorb much without arguement. This is perhaps Groupthink at its finest.
Group members are rarely coequal in the decision-making process. Mental ability, information, and responsibility all vary. In situations of inequality (such as the military) groupthink on the part of some is critical to the function of the whole.
Groupthink is powerful and dangerous. Enjoy responsibly.
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