Several catastrophic events in history have been attributed to the phenomenon of groupthink. First identified by Irving Janis, groupthink occurs when a group makes faulty decisions because group pressures lead to a deterioration of “mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment” (1972, p. 9). Specific conditions such as a highly cohesive group, leader preference for a certain decision, and insulation of the group from qualified outside opinions are precursors to factors known as symptoms of groupthink. These symptoms include “illusion of invulnerability, collective rationalization, belief in inherent morality, stereotyped views of out-groups, direct pressure on dissenters, self-censorship, illusion of unanimity and self-appointed mindguards” (Rosenblum, 1982, p. 3). Because of groupthink, disastrous decisions were made that led to the loss of lives in the space shuttle Challenger launch in
…show more content…
Because NASA administration is a presidential appointment, regular shuttle launches were essential to maintaining funding. Therefore, NASA officials and vendors were unwilling to discuss problems that may postpone a project (Ferraris & Carveth, 2003, p. 4). Indicators of groupthink, invulnerability and close-mindedness, were evident when NASA officials refused requests to get spy satellite photographs of the shuttle to verify damage to the foam insulation despite a precedent of foam insulation damage in previous shuttles. (Ferraris & Carveth, 2003, p. 6). Symptoms including pressure toward self-censorship, unanimity, discouragement of dissent were apparent when NASA engineer, Rodney Rocha, admitted that even though he “voiced urgent concerns … about the need to examine the wing”, he did not state his concerns in a meeting because he was “frightened for his job” (Schwartz, as cited by Ferraris & Carveth, 2003, p.
Because NASA administration is a presidential appointment, regular shuttle launches were essential to maintaining funding. Therefore, NASA officials and vendors were unwilling to discuss problems that may postpone a project (Ferraris & Carveth, 2003, p. 4). Indicators of groupthink, invulnerability and close-mindedness, were evident when NASA officials refused requests to get spy satellite photographs of the shuttle to verify damage to the foam insulation despite a precedent of foam insulation damage in previous shuttles. (Ferraris & Carveth, 2003, p. 6). Symptoms including pressure toward self-censorship, unanimity, discouragement of dissent were apparent when NASA engineer, Rodney Rocha, admitted that even though he “voiced urgent concerns … about the need to examine the wing”, he did not state his concerns in a meeting because he was “frightened for his job” (Schwartz, as cited by Ferraris & Carveth, 2003, p.