Delk, James Anthony P.

1. Based on the Video you watch posted in the Google Classroom, what is group-
think and how does it affect team performance in any organization. Pls explain and
provide example that exhibits groupthink.

Base on the video I saw, Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within
a group of people in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in
an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. The ways of approaching
problems or matters are dealt by the consensus of a group rather than by individuals
acting independently. Essentially, groupthink occurs when a group makes faulty or
ineffective decisions just for the sake of reaching an agreement.

The attack on Pearl Harbor is an excellent example of groupthink. Despite the

interception of Japanese messages, US naval officers based in Hawaii did not seriously
take warnings from Washington about a potential offensive attack somewhere in the
Pacific Ocean. The officers thought that the Japanese would not dare to attack the US.
Nobody challenged the idea and instead rationalized why an attack was unlikely to
happen.

2. Based on the article you read above, and the link provided, is these consider as
a Group Think Phenomenon? If yes, explain what are the factors within the article that
lead to believe that these is a group think? If not, explain also, what are the missing
components that this article will be consider as groupthink.

Yes, the Bay of Pig is an example of Group Think Phenomenon. I am referring my

answers to the 8 symptoms of Group Think Phenomenon. Kennedy wanted to
overthrow Castro and his subordinates knew it - which meant that they, as a group,
were not acting and thinking as intelligently as they could be. Instead, they jumped to
conclusions and then moved forward without an openness to new information and
without considering changes in direction. By directly involving himself in the decision
making, Kennedy caused his subordinates to come up with a plan that pleased him
rather than one that made the most strategic sense.
Delk, James Anthony P.

3. Enumerate and explain at least 6 different types of symptoms of Groupthink.

Also, once you identified these symptoms, identified which part within this article or link
that represent each of the symptom and explain why?

 Pressure – Victims apply direct pressure to any individual who momentarily

expresses concern or doubt about the group’s shared views. Members are not
able to express their own individual arguments against the group.
 Self-censorship – Victims avoid deviating from what the group consensus is and
keep quiet. Doubts and concerns about the group are not expressed and victims
of groupthink may undermine the importance or validity of their doubts.
 Illusion of Unanimity – Victims of groupthink share an illusion of unanimity – that
the majority view and judgments of the group are unanimous.
 Rationale – Victims of this behavior ignore and discount warnings and negative
feedback that may cause the group to reconsider their previous assumptions.
 Stereotypes – Members of the group possess negative and/or stereotypical
views of their “enemies”.
 Illusion of Invulnerability – Members of the group share an illusion of
invulnerability that creates excessive optimism and encourages taking abnormal
risks.

4. Based in your experience here in the Philippines, give a real-life scenario and
explain that best represent as a groupthink.

This happened recently. It was an issue about san beda reminding the students/parents
of their remaining balance that needs to be payed up for tuition fee. A lot of students
ranted and gave rude comments about the incident. Days later our professor, Atty.
Bendijo, encourages us that we should, as legal management students, defend san
beda and let our voices be heard about the issue. He said that obligation should be
done whether pandemic or no pandemic and that what was done by those who oppose
was libel etc.

Our professor’s intention was to defend san beda and provide legal grounds. However,
everything fails because a lot of students are now looking down on the legal
Delk, James Anthony P.

management students specifically our class section, because what they only did was
copy pasted what the professor said with the hashtag #defendbeda. On our group chat
we already discussed that don’t copy paste what he said because it will make us look
like trolls instead, make our own point. Second, most of the students didn’t gave their
opinion about the issue but went straight to copy pasting our professors message, third,
although there were arguments given such as there is a high possibility that we will be
bashed for forcing ourselves to share a post that most of the students in that class
doesn’t have the full intention of posting with the same idea and fourth, most of the
students in that class did it with the presumption that additional grades will be given
away and pressured them to share it.