Applying Organizational Theory, Essay Example

Groupthink theory argues that poor decisions are made due to group pressure, which destroys the efficacy of the material (Schneider, et. al., 2005). Group think theory tries to explain why a group may come up with decisions that are not competent. Groupthink has no room for critical and creative thinking and fails to provide participants with an opportunity to evaluate the ideas being put across. In the case of Elizabeth and Randy, for instance, the group members accepted Elizabeth’s ideas without taking time to evaluate the participant’s notions. Groupthink is best understood when perceived as a detrimental aspect in decision-making. Group members appear to be thinking in the same direction and this is very risky since it reduces the chances of coming up with a competent decision. In Randy and Elizabeth’s case, group members spend most of the time quite listening to the two company officials argue. At the end of the day, group members were so quick to come up with a decision and one wonders whether they were just tired of thinking or whether they knew what they were doing.

It does not matter whether Elizabeth’s decision was the best one but it was essential that the entire group evaluate both choices and come up with a sound conclusion after critical analysis. There are factors that result into groupthink. The first is cohesiveness, where group members agree with each other’s ideas without questioning their validity. It is unlikely that group members will exclude themselves from the crowd. There is some kind of “togetherness,” that does not seem rational or right. Solidarity is a positive aspect, though it can become dangerous when a group depends on it most of the time. Another factor that results into group think is the structure and surroundings of the group. If the group seems to be isolated during discussions, for instance, there is likelihood that groupthink will take place. Randy and Elizabeth may be blamed for causing groupthink to occur in their organization. They kept on arguing throughout the meeting and did not give other members a chance to air their views on how to improve the performance of their company.

Group members were quite all through the argument and at the end, they decided to come up with a final decision. The two leaders created their own biased decisions earlier even before the group could discuss the matter at hand. In such situations, group members become less interested in airing out their views and they fail to attempt questioning their leader’s position. There are also various symptoms, which might reveal the presence of groupthink. The overestimation of power by a group might leave members thinking that they have control and their choices are definitely appropriate. Another symptom is close mindedness where the group fails to consider the after math of the decision made. The group may also be pressured into conforming to particular decisions (Robert, 1996) .Group members fear disunity, hence, they opt to agree unanimously. In Randy and Elizabeth’s case, one of these symptoms was evident. The group members acted as if they were under some pressure. There final decision was not because they thought it was right but due to pressure from their leaders. Organizations that wish to thrive should try their level best to avoid the group-thinking scenarios.

References

Schneider, F. W., Gruman, A. J. & Coutts, M. L. (2005). Applied Social Psychology: Understanding And Addressing Social And Practical Problems. New York, NY: Sage Publishers.

Robert, G. (1996). Groupthink: Deciding with the Leader and the Devil. Psychological Record, Fall 96 (46) 4.