Group Think: Is there an official definition?

[Spots]

Yes, yes there is.



Consult with any friend who may be under its spell.


http://www.stanford.edu/~kcook/groupthink.html

[Spots]

What if there was like digital evidence of these types of behaviors somewhere? What it could do for SCIENCE.

[mpbrockman]

What if there was like digital evidence of these types of behaviors somewhere?

Tell me you're being sarcastic.

"Groupthink" doesn't have to conjure up the extremes of Nanking, My Lai, Nazism, Jonestown et al. One can see evidence of unanimity of opinion, interpersonal pressure, self-censorship & mindguards within any ideological or social movement, even freethought. It's easier than ever to promulgate today due to the internet & concomitant social media.

Check out the work of Irving Janis, who coined the term "groupthink"; and there's a decent bibliography here.

The science has been around for a good little while now; and it's a bit terrifying.