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Can this type of behavior best be explained using groupthink, social comparison theory, conformity, group polarization, or a combination of explanations?
As a group attempt to arrive at a consensus decision regarding which theory best frames or explains why this is occurring in the organization. Following the group deliberation, you need to develop the strategic plan for the CEO. This strategic plan should address the following:
What social psychological theory or theories best explains what is occurring within the organization and why?
#1...A combination of 'groupthink', conformity', and 'group polarization' theories explains the problems with the organization. The reason why is because the 'group' is used to acting only within the confines of the group...the same people, with the same attitudes and biases and likes and dislikes as ever before. Nothing ever changes in the group mentality so nothing changes in the group's suggestions to the CEO.
What can people do to avoid a group or mob mentality (such as deindividuation or groupthink)?
#2...First, realize that it exists and take steps to aviod it. Second, encourage group members to 'brainstorm' in such a manner that ALL ideas (no matter how trivial or inappropriate) are brought to the table and discussed. Third, seek advisement from outside the main group before making final decisions. Get fresh ideas from outside sources.
An explanation of at least three changes that can be made within the organization to improve the current conditions that the CEO is concerned about.
#3...First, change a group member or two for each progect to keep ideas fresh. Next, encourage brainstorming that involves all group members and all ideas presented. And thirdly, run ideas past people outside the group before final decisions are made.
In order for other members of management to benefit from your group's experience you are to create an article for the corporate management newsletter that addresses the following:
What type of decision making process did your group use to arrive at a consensus decision?
#4...Most often, groups should use 'brainstorming' to allow all group members to offer many different ideas to be discussed and disected by the entire group before final decisions are made for best effects.
In what ways is the group decision making process different from the individual decision making process?
#5...Group decision making processes differ from individual processes because they require the skills of more than one person, because they can tend to be better decisions than made by an individual since more skills come into play, and group decisions must be agreed upon by more than one person.
Did your group avoid or reduce group biases or errors? If yes, how? If no, why not or what happened?
#6...Biases and errors were reduced by realizing that they exist and requesting additional informationa and ideas from outside the group.
What are the implications of social influence for individuals and organizations?
#7...Individuals can OFTEN be influenced by social group attitudes, biases, and errors. In organizations, the same can happen and become a liability. Groups that work together often can become suseptible to 'groupthink', where all the individuals begin to think alike. Social Comparison Theory comesintoplay when each member of a group holds back new ideas and fresh thoughts because they fear non-acceptance from the group, and conformity is the end result in all matters. The group becomes polarized into thinking and acting in only one way that will not lead to new thoughts and the group's ideas, as well as the organization becomes stagnant, which is not a good business practise.
