group think

(noun)

A process of reasoning or decision - making by a group, especially one characterized by uncritical acceptance or conformity to a perceived majority view.

Examples of group think in the following topics:

  • Reflective Thinking

    • Reflective thinking about group work allows students to evaluate both successes and failures of the project and work towards improvement.
    • Using reflective thinking in a group setting can allow for intellectual decisions based on defining a problem and using concepts based in logic to select the best solution.
    • What did the group do well?
    • Was our group successful?
    • Reflective thinking is an excellent tool for identifying positive and negative aspects of a group work experience.
  • Introduction to bottom-up approaches

    • In a sense, all networks are composed of groups (or sub-graphs).
    • When two actors have a tie, they form a "group."
    • One approach to thinking about the group structure of a network begins with this most basic group, and seeks to see how far this kind of close relationship can be extended.
    • This is a useful way of thinking, because sometimes more complex social structures evolve, or emerge, from very simple ones.
    • We will turn our attention first to "bottom-up" thinking.
  • Social Identity Theory

    • That is, sometimes we think of ourselves as "us" vs.
    • "they", and at other times we think of ourselves as "I" vs.
    • In other words, sometimes we think of ourselves as group members and at other times we think of ourselves as unique individuals.
    • What is crucial for our purposes is that thinking of yourself as a group member and thinking of yourself as a unique individual are both parts of your self-concept.
    • Thinking about individuals in one's outgroup in such a fashion allows the individual to believe that the enemy is deserving of death by dehumanizing them (more on this below).
  • Policy Making and Special Interests

    • Many different types of groups attempt to influence United States policy.
    • For instance, certain demographic groups may favor policies that benefit them the most.
    • Other groups may create formal institutions, known as think tanks, to advance their cause.
    • Foreign governments can also behave as interest groups when it comes to U.S. foreign policy.
    • Because of the wide variety of special interest groups, conflict between groups on an issue is common.
  • Critical Thinking

    • The essential skill of critical thinking will go a long way in helping one to develop statistical literacy.
    • The essential skill of critical thinking will go a long way in helping one to develop statistical literacy.
    • There is a reasonable level of consensus that an individual or group engaged in strong critical thinking gives due consideration to establish:
    • Critical thinking is an inherent part of data analysis and statistical literacy.
    • Interpret the role that the process of critical thinking plays in statistical literacy.
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Group Decision Making

    • Group decision making can lead to improved outcomes, but only if a variety of conditions pertaining to group chemistry are satisfied.
    • Group decisions are subject to factors such as social influence, including peer pressure, and group dynamics.
    • The sharing of information among group members is another advantage of the group decision-making process.
    • Group decisions take into account a broader scope of information since each group member may contribute unique information and expertise.
    • Loyalty to the group requires individuals to avoid raising controversial issues or alternative solutions, and there is a loss of individual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking.
  • Group Conflict as a Barrier to Decision Making

    • Group dynamics, which involves the influence of social behavior, is the primary determining factor in the success of group outcomes.
    • Group cohesion, or positive feelings between individuals and productive working relationships, contributes to effective group decision making.
    • Loyalty to the group requires individuals to avoid raising controversial issues or alternative solutions, and there is a loss of individual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking.
    • Each member should discuss the group's ideas with trusted people outside of the group.
    • The group should invite outside experts into meetings.
  • Listening and Critical Thinking

    • Critical thinking skills are essential and connected to the ability to listen effectively and process the information that one hears.
    • Critical thinking has many practical applications, such as formulating a workable solution to a complex personal problem, deliberating in a group setting about what course of action to take, or analyzing the assumptions and methods used in arriving at a scientific hypothesis.
    • People use critical thinking to solve complex math problems or compare prices at the grocery store.
    • Critical thinking is imperative to effective communication, and thus, public speaking.
    • Therefore, critical thinkers must engage in highly active listening to further their critical thinking skills.
  • Differences Between Groups and Teams

    • All teams are groups of individuals, but not all groups are teams.
    • While all teams are groups of individuals, not all groups are teams.
    • Groups can range greatly in size and scope.
    • Groups can exist as a matter of fact; for example, a group can be comprised of people of the same race or ethnic background.
    • While such meetings typically have an agenda and thus a purpose and some structure, we would not necessarily think of those in attendance as a team.
  • Statistical Literacy

    • Two groups of rats were tested.
    • Both groups were injected with chemicals known to increase the chance of liver cancer.
    • The experimental group was fed saffron (n = 24) whereas the control group was not (n = 8).
    • Only 4 of the 24 subjects in the saffron group developed cancer as compared to 6 of the 8 subjects in the control group.
    • What method could be used to test whether this difference between the experimental and control groups is statistically significant?
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

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