Chapter 8 – Groups
Part 1: Oct. 21, 2011
Groups and Social Processes
• Groups are 2 or more people who interact
and perceive themselves as a unit/”us”
• More than just being physically together
Functions of Groups
• Why join a group?
– Need for social interaction
– Roles within groups –
– Group cohesiveness -
Group Performance
• Process loss can reduce group perf.
– How?
– Brainstorming example –
Groupthink
• Janis’ 1972 research – analyzed historical group
decisions
– Pearl Harbor, Bay of Pigs
• Recent examples?
• Groupthink – tendency of groups to repress
dissenting opinions in favor of group harmony
and cohesion.
Symptoms of Groupthink
• 1. Illusion of Invulnerability
• 2. Belief in Group’s Moral Superiority
• Symptoms 1 & 2 combine 
• 3. Rationalization
• 4. Stereotypes of Opponents
Symptoms 3 & 4 combine 
• 5. Pressure to Conform –
• 6. Self-Censoring –
• 7. Illusion of Unanimity –
• 8. Mindguarding –