Practical Church Revitalization Podcast

As observed by Aldag and Fuller (1993), the groupthink phenomenon seems to rest on a set of unstated and generally restrictive assumptions: The purpose of group problem solving is mainly to improve decision quality Group problem solving is considered a rational process. Benefits of group problem solving: variety of perspectives more information about possible alternatives better decision reliability dampening of biases social presence effects Groupthink prevents these benefits due to structural faults and provocative situational context. Groupthink prevention methods will produce better decisions An illusion of well-being is presumed to be inherently dysfunctional. Group pressures towards consensus lead to concurrence-seeking tendencies. According to Janis, decision-making groups are not necessarily destined to groupthink. He devised ways of preventing groupthink: Leaders should assign each member the role of "critical evaluator." This allows each member to freely air objections and doubts. Leaders should n