Military Groupthink

Paper Summary:

This study explores the degree to which "groupthink," as defined by Irving L. Janis in "Groupthink: The Desperate Drive for Consensus at Any Cost," proliferates small to medium-sized military organizations. The sample of the study is the employees and supervisors of a small division of the military. The research design of the work consists of a self-report survey of employees and supervisors in which they self-evaluate the degree to which 'groupthink' exists within their particular organization. The data analysis of the plan is a comparative evaluation of the responses of both employees and supervisors to evaluate the degree to which 'groupthink' is actually present.

Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Definition of Terms
Review of Literature
Method
Data Collection Plan
Data Analysis Procedure
Limitations
Implications
Appendix
References

From the Paper:

"The concept of "groupthink" has been applied to troubling group dynamics for many years and yet it is still one of the most prevalent problems with association to group failures and poor decision-making. When decisions are made within the context of cohesion that limits the input of the often-wise individual members of the group, and excludes the in-put of the out-group, groupthink is often the cause. (Chen, Lawson, Gordon & Mcintosh, 1996, p. 581) Logical intellectual consideration is often not even considered because of the false security of the groupthink dynamic and an idea of a need for consensus, real or otherwise, despite individual misgivings or unexplored alternatives. (Janis , 1971, p. 43) "

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