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I came across a condition I had never seen before called Group Think. Basically (you can look it up in Wikipedia) the idea is that a group will pressurize internally to have the entire group think like others in the group to reach a “consensus”, but without thinking it through or allowing reaction to others in the group who may disagree, forcing them to agree with the group.
I was thinking how this comes across in a college setting, and contrasting it with a yeshiva. In a college setting (from what I have seen), the professor is always right, and his/her pet theory is the correct answer in all cases. In a Yeshiva however, the whole point of a chavrusa is the “back and forth” that creates a consensus while taking into account both opinions.
In addition, while writing this, I am reminded of the Sanhedrin, where the least respected member would always vote (and discuss) first, and the most respected last, so that the lowest member would be able to speak his mind without being subject to the “Groupthink” influence of needing to think like the Rosh Sanhedrin, so that a real discussion could take place.
Groupthink was “discovered” within the past 50 years, while the Sanhedrin had already had the answer thousands of years ago.
I think Group Think is different than Peer Pressure
No. Folks, this one is definitely not for me. Thinking is totally out of my realm. Sorry, you’ll all have to debate this issue without my most valuable input.
gavra,
I think the reason the sanhedrin didn’t start at the top is because one would think someone greater than me said one way I will agree (the av beis din is a yochid) but group think is a group thought of something and I won’t argue (therefore a rabim)
Group think is the yeshiva system in general. It is not the learning/chavrusa method but it is the system. This is what is right, there is no “other” right. There is no other way of thinking. If you don’t conform to our right your are wrong and you are out. There is no room for discussion or explanation. Even if it doesn’t work it doesn’t matter because it is what it is and it is right in our opinion therefor it is right and you all have to agree with us. We will not change our ways because we are right. Even if we are wrong we are right and you have to accept that.
Came across the Wikipedia article (sorry to revive a dead thread) which listed the symptoms as follows:
1. Illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking.
2. Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions.
3. Rationalizing warnings that might challenge the group’s assumptions.
4. Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, biased, spiteful, impotent, or stupid.
5. Self-censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.
6. Illusions of unanimity among group members, silence is viewed as agreement.
7. Direct pressure to conform placed on any member who questions the group, couched in terms of “disloyalty”
Don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty close. Maybe we qualify.
But unquestioned belief in the morality of the group and self-censorship of deviant ideas sound pretty good, if you think about it. So maybe we *want* to qualify?
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