Groupthink Quiz: Test Your Understanding

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🤝 Definition: Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome.
• ⚠️ Symptoms: Include illusions of invulnerability, collective rationalization, belief in inherent morality, stereotyped views of out-groups, direct pressure on dissenters, self-censorship, illusion of unanimity, and self-appointed 'mindguards'.
• 💡 Causes: High group cohesiveness, directive leadership, and insulation of the group.
• 🛡️ Prevention: Encourage critical evaluation, bring in outside experts, assign a 'devil's advocate', and divide into subgroups.
• 📅 First Coined: The term was coined by social psychologist William H. Whyte in 1952 and later thoroughly explored by Irving Janis in 1972.

🧠 Practice Quiz

1. What is the primary characteristic of groupthink?
   1. A) Encouraging diverse opinions.
   2. B) Striving for harmony and conformity.
   3. C) Promoting critical evaluation.
   4. D) Welcoming outside experts.
2. Which of the following is a symptom of groupthink?
   1. A) Open discussion of doubts.
   2. B) Critical analysis of options.
   3. C) Illusion of invulnerability.
   4. D) Seeking external advice.
3. What is a common cause of groupthink?
   1. A) Low group cohesiveness.
   2. B) Directive leadership.
   3. C) Encouragement of dissent.
   4. D) Diverse group membership.
4. What strategy can help prevent groupthink?
   1. A) Discouraging critical evaluation.
   2. B) Maintaining strict group uniformity.
   3. C) Assigning a 'devil's advocate'.
   4. D) Isolating the group from outside opinions.
5. Who is credited with extensively studying groupthink?
   1. A) Sigmund Freud.
   2. B) B.F. Skinner.
   3. C) Irving Janis.
   4. D) Carl Jung.
6. What does 'self-censorship' refer to in the context of groupthink?
   1. A) Openly expressing dissenting opinions.
   2. B) Suppressing personal doubts to align with the group.
   3. C) Actively seeking external feedback.
   4. D) Encouraging individual creativity.
7. What is the role of a 'mindguard' in groupthink?
   1. A) To promote diverse perspectives.
   2. B) To protect the group from dissenting information.
   3. C) To encourage critical thinking.
   4. D) To facilitate open communication.