Originally coined in 1972 by psychologist Irving Janis, the term “groupthink” has its roots in 1984. The Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology defines the phenomenon as “a condition in which highly cohesive groups in ‘hot’ decision situations display excessive levels of concurrence seeking that suppress critical inquiry and result in faulty decision making” (Aldag). Janis chose the name groupthink due to Orwell’s “doublethink” in 1984, a similar condition marked by the simultaneous acceptance of two contradictory beliefs. Groups with higher cohesiveness are generally more likely to suffer from groupthink. Janis asserted that “groupthink refers to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgement that results from
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Communist China’s thought control tactics are eerily similar to Oceania’s Ministry of Love. Orwell introduces the Ministry of Love in the first chapter, explaining how the department “maintained law and order” and “was the really frightening one” (Orwell 12). Winston experiences the nightmarish reality in the ministry later in the novel. O’Brien asks Winston, “...why do you imagine that we bring people to this place?” (Orwell 413). The reason O’Brien ultimately gives should strike fear in the hearts of all who love freedom and should serve as a dire warning of the dangers of groupthink. He exclaims: “Shall I tell you why we have brought you here? To cure you! To make you sane! …. We are not interested in those stupid crimes that you have committed. The Party is not interested in the overt act; the thought is all we care about” (Orwell 414). The Party’s true intentions to quash conflicting become even more coherent when O’Brien proclaims: “We shall turn you into gas and pour you into the stratosphere. Nothing will remain of you: not a name in a register, not a memory in a living brain. You will be annihilated in the past as well as in the future. You will never have existed” (Orwell 416). The Party seeks not only victory over its enemies, but also complete destruction of its opposers. Far more disturbing than satirical groupthink in 1984 are actual efforts in thought control. During …show more content…
From the Nazi’s slaughter of six million Jews to China’s annihilation of individualism, humanity would be wise to never forget the sheer power of groupthink and collectivism. Fascist and communist dictators exploit humans’ vulnerabilities to promote a freedom-less, uniform society. As witnesses of genocides in the past, America in particular has a solemn responsibility to take a stand in the face of evil and promote freedom and liberty. Individualism is “among the core values in American culture and identity formation” (Hodson). American society fosters creativity and unrestricted thought. In contrast, tyrannical societies promote a lack of diverse views. Ignoring the indisputable correlation between groupthink and authoritarianism would be an affront to the memories of all sufferers of tyranny. As the world continues to transform, freedom-loving people must champion individualism in order to prevent Orwell’s dystopia from coming to fruition. The world must not let the eleven million victims of Nazism and one hundred million victims of communism die in
Communist China’s thought control tactics are eerily similar to Oceania’s Ministry of Love. Orwell introduces the Ministry of Love in the first chapter, explaining how the department “maintained law and order” and “was the really frightening one” (Orwell 12). Winston experiences the nightmarish reality in the ministry later in the novel. O’Brien asks Winston, “...why do you imagine that we bring people to this place?” (Orwell 413). The reason O’Brien ultimately gives should strike fear in the hearts of all who love freedom and should serve as a dire warning of the dangers of groupthink. He exclaims: “Shall I tell you why we have brought you here? To cure you! To make you sane! …. We are not interested in those stupid crimes that you have committed. The Party is not interested in the overt act; the thought is all we care about” (Orwell 414). The Party’s true intentions to quash conflicting become even more coherent when O’Brien proclaims: “We shall turn you into gas and pour you into the stratosphere. Nothing will remain of you: not a name in a register, not a memory in a living brain. You will be annihilated in the past as well as in the future. You will never have existed” (Orwell 416). The Party seeks not only victory over its enemies, but also complete destruction of its opposers. Far more disturbing than satirical groupthink in 1984 are actual efforts in thought control. During …show more content…
From the Nazi’s slaughter of six million Jews to China’s annihilation of individualism, humanity would be wise to never forget the sheer power of groupthink and collectivism. Fascist and communist dictators exploit humans’ vulnerabilities to promote a freedom-less, uniform society. As witnesses of genocides in the past, America in particular has a solemn responsibility to take a stand in the face of evil and promote freedom and liberty. Individualism is “among the core values in American culture and identity formation” (Hodson). American society fosters creativity and unrestricted thought. In contrast, tyrannical societies promote a lack of diverse views. Ignoring the indisputable correlation between groupthink and authoritarianism would be an affront to the memories of all sufferers of tyranny. As the world continues to transform, freedom-loving people must champion individualism in order to prevent Orwell’s dystopia from coming to fruition. The world must not let the eleven million victims of Nazism and one hundred million victims of communism die in