What is the Difference Between Groupthink and Group Shift?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Groupthink and group shift are two different phenomena that occur within groups when they make decisions. Here are the key differences between the two:
Groupthink:
- Occurs when a group makes dysfunctional or poor decisions solely on the basis of maintaining or attaining group harmony.
- Prioritizes consensus over critical thinking.
- Individuals discard their personal opinions to conform to the group's dominant opinion.
- Can lead to faulty decisions due to the pressure to maintain group cohesion.
Group Shift:
- Refers to a condition where the position of an individual in the group changes to adopt a more extreme position due to the influence of the group.
- Involves shifting opinions toward extremes, either towards greater deliberation or more risk.
- Individual decisions make way for exaggerated group decisions.
- Group decisions free any single individual from accountability for the group's final choice, which can lead to greater risk-taking.
In summary, groupthink is characterized by the group's preference for consensus over critical thinking, leading to faulty decisions. In contrast, group shift involves the adoption of more extreme positions by group members due to the group's influence, which can result in decisions that are either more conservative or riskier than individual opinions.
Comparative Table: Groupthink vs Group Shift
Here is a table outlining the differences between Groupthink and Group Shift:
| Aspect | Groupthink | Group Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A psychological phenomenon in which members of a group make decisions based on the pressure they receive from the group. | A condition where the position of an individual in the group changes to adopt a more extreme stance, either towards greater deliberation or more risk. |
| Personal View | Personal view can be put aside in favor of the popular view. | Personal view becomes much stronger due to group influence. |
| Pressure | The group has an immense pressure on the individual to conform. | The group discussion tends to fabricate the initial position of the group. |
| Decision-Making | The group's decision-making is minimized, and creativity and autonomy are lost. | The group's decision shows the dominant decision-making norm that is developed during the group discussion. |
| Effects | Can lead to irrational decisions and a lack of critical thinking. | Can lead to exaggerated group decisions and a shift towards more or less risk. |
In summary, Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon where individuals conform to the group's majority opinion, even if it goes against their personal beliefs, while Group Shift refers to the shift in an individual's position within a group to adopt a more extreme stance due to the influence of the group's discussion.
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