Beyond fiasco: A reappraisal of the groupthink phenomenon and a new model of group decision processes.

This article provides a comprehensive evaluation of the groupthink phenomenon (I. L. Janis, 1971,1972,1982). Our evaluation indicates that research does not provide convincing support for thevalidity of the groupthink phenomenon or for the suggestion that groupthink characteristics leadto negative outcomes. This review, coupled with evidence from other literature suggested by aproblem-solving perspective and a direct examination of groupthink implicit assumptions, guidedthe development of a new, more general model termed the general group problem-solving model.This model incorporates a variety of antecedent conditions, emergent group characteristics, deci-sion process characteristics, and group decision outcomes. Following the review and model devel-opment, we discuss potential concerns relating to our model, address the allure of groupthink, andpresent implications of our analysis for group problem solving as well as directions for futureresearch.

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