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Janis’ concept of Groupthink
Janis’ (1972) concept of Groupthink sets out symptoms and characteristics that can occur within cohesive groups. This behaviour can have significant negative influences on the decision making process within the group. Janis further classifies six main symptoms which can be found in groups suffering from Groupthink. The story of ‘The Bay of Pigs’, and the case study of the pharmaceutical industry, will help us to illustrate differences between the characteristics of the classical rational decision making process and the characteristics of Janis’ concept of Groupthink.
Janis defines the concept of Groupthink as “members of any small cohesive group tend to maintain esprit de corps by unconsciously developing a number of shared illusions and related norms that interfere with critical thinking and reality testing” (Janis, 1972, p.27). He uses the story of the Bay of Pigs, in which the US president John F. Kennedy tried to overthrow Castro in 1961 to explain the symptoms of Groupthink. According to his view there are six main symptoms which can be identified in groups suffering from Groupthink.
One of the most dangerous symptoms of groupthink is the illusion of invulnerability, in which the entire group believes to have unlimited power and confidence. Even if the plan seems to be risky the group, in its cohesive behaviour, believes to have the key to a guaranteed success (Janis, 1972). Buoyant optimism and overly positive thoughts and feelings arise within a group when members become cohesive. Janis (1972) further explains that a ‘new feeling of togetherness’ leads members t ...