Groupthink: Are We a Bit Overeager? (Obj. 2) You are a member of the Community Service Committee, which is part of the Business Newcomers Club in your town. Your committee must decide what local cause to support with funds earned at the Newcomers' annual celebrity auction. Matt, the committee chair, suggested that the group support a local literacy program. His aunt is literacy coordinator at the Davis Outreach Center, and he knows that the group would be delighted with any contribution. Sanjaya said that she favors any cause that is educational. Eric announced that he had to leave for an appointment in five minutes. Mona described an article she read in the newspaper about surprisingly large numbers of people who are functionally illiterate. Jared said that he thought they ought to consider other causes such as the homeless center, but Matt dismissed the idea saying,
"The homeless already receive lots of funding. Besides, our contribution could make a real difference with the literacy program." The other members of the committee persuaded Jared to agree with them. The committee voted unanimously to support the literacy program. Your Task. In class discussion, answer the following questions:
a. What aspects of groupthink were at work in this committee?
b. What conditions contribute to groupthink?
c. What can groups do to avoid groupthink?