Common ground is defined as the recognition of a shared identity which increases the likelihood of a peaceful resolution of differences. Finding common ground though is much more than just following a simple definition. The problem in trying to find a common ground is the conflict that is bound to arise. Conflicts tend to vary drastically based on the various situations we may confront and the degree of the conflict that is in question. One of the first things to look for in order to find common ground within groups is to recognize the superordinate identity. Superordinate identity is a shared in-group identity. This becomes important in groups which can encounter various degrees of diversity. The more diverse that the group becomes the harder it is to reach a common ground since it would be hard for the various individuals in the group to think and rationalize in the same way. Each person will have their own motivation and their own self-interest in mind which could be in conflict with the ultimate goal of the group. A superordinate identity helps group members to maintain their need for individuality but at the same time make them feel like they belong and they are all a part of the same trying to achieve the same goal. …show more content…
Some of the problems with groups stems from the fact that it is a joining of various individuals with varying traits and tendencies. Once a group is able to reach a state of where they find their superordinate identity, even individuals who have a tendency to start conflicts will think twice since they know that it is within their best interests to find common ground. Even group members who want to impose their will in order to fulfill their need to be individuals will be hesitant since they know that those actions can hard their
Turman, P. (October 25, 2000f). Group Cohesiveness and Conflict: Group Communication [Lecture] Cedar Falls, IA. University of Northern Iowa, Communication Studies Department.
From the Velasquez excerpt he explains Janis definition of Group think which refers to the susceptibility of groups of people to get increasingly out of touch with reality (Janis 84). Velasquez believes the main cause of groupthink is socials pressures within the group due to the group wanting to get along and keep harmony (Janis 84). When a group really wants to have a good standing relationship with each other they could possibly just agree on something to not upset the others, or to make them not like them for their beliefs and not agreeing resulting in them not evaluating the situation. This negatively affects ones decision making outcome. Groupthink as any other problem has symptoms and we will go over each of these.
For that reason, our group struggled to continue a conversation. Certain people in my group did not take part in the conversation, and I believe myself and two others controlled the entire discussion. Additionally, one other member contributed little and did not present any statements to completely answer a question. Other groups struggled with the same situation. Instead of debating over a certain topic, we tended to agree with each other and then exhaust our concepts that related to the specific question that was asked.
however, how can we as a society find common ground without everyone feeling comfortable enough to
In 1972, Irving Janis presented a set of hypothesis that he extracted from observing small groups performing problem solving tasks; he collectively referred to these hypotheses as groupthink¹. He defined groupthink as “a quick and easy way to refer to a mode of thinking that people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive in-group, when the members’ striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action²” A successful group brings varied ideas, collective knowledge, and focus on the task at hand. The importance of groups is to accomplish tasks that individuals can not do on their own. The Bay of Pigs, Watergate, and the Challenger disaster are all forms of failure within a group. Specifically, you can see the effect of groupthink of Americans before September 11, 2001. The thought of harm to the United States was unfathomable, but only after the attacks did they realize they were not invincible. When a solid, highly cohesive group is only concerned with maintaining agreement, they fail to see their alternatives and any other available options. When a group experiences groupthink, they may feel uninterested about a task, don't feel like they will be successful, and the group members do not challenge ideas. Stress is also a factor in the failure of groupthink. An effective group needs to have clear goals, trust, accountability, support, and training. Some indicators that groupthink may be happening are; making unethical decisions, they think they are never wrong, close-minded about situations, and ignore important information. Many things can be done to prevent groupthink from happening. One way is to make each person in the group a “critical evaluator”. The leader must ...
There are eight symptoms of groupthink. The first symptom is when all or most of the group view themselves as invincible which causes them to make decisions that may be risky. The group has an enormous amount of confidence and authority in their decisions as well as in themselves. They see themselves collectively better in all ways than any other group and they believe the event will go well not because of what it is, but because they are involved. The second symptom is the belief of the group that they are moral and upstanding, which leads the group to ignore the ethical or moral consequences of the decisions. The group engages in a total overestimation of its morality. There is never any question that the group is not doing the right thing, they just act. The disregarding of information or warnings that may lead to changes in past policy is the third symptom. Even if there is considerable evidence against their standpoint, they see no problems with their plan. Stereotyping of enemy leaders or others as weak or stupid is the fourth symptom. This symptom leads to close-mindedness to other individuals and their opinions. The fifth symptom is the self-censorship of an individual causing him to overlook his doubts. A group member basically keeps his mouth shut so the group can continue in harmony. Symptom number six refers to the illusion of unanimity; going along with the majority, and the assumption that silence signifies consent. Sometimes a group member who questions the rightness of the goals is pressured by others into concurring or agreeing, this is symptom number seven. The last symptom is the members that set themselves up as a buffer to protect the group from adverse information that may destroy their shared contentment regarding the group’s ...
According to Coleman & James (1961) ‘cohesion tends to be weaker and moral tends to be lower in a larger group than in a smaller one.’ The reason they state this happens is because, in the majority of cases there is a lack of intimacy within the group and in extremely large groups the members are almost strangers to one another.
Sheri L. Dew Stats “Neither man nor woman is perfect or complete without the other. Thus, no marriage or family, no ward or stake is likely to reach its full potential until husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, men and women work together in unity of purpose, respecting and relying upon each other's strengths.As a young adult, These Stories have allowed me to truly understand this idea of finding common ground. Essentially, finding common ground is defined as two different people having same interests. Individuals can find common ground and live as one human race, because When a tragedy happens we come together and when we have the same belief.
Social identity theory can be applied to many different problems and real life situations. It demonstrates the role of categorization in behaviors, and explores how being part of a group affects social interaction in everyday life.
Groupthink is the psychological phenomenon in which groups working on a task think along the same lines which could have drastic results. It is the result of group polarization where discussions are enhance or exaggerate the initial leanings of the group. Therefore, if a group leans towards risky situation at the beginning of the discussion on average they will move toward an even riskier position. (Marks, 2015). The idea when everyone think the same no one is really thinking. The drastic outcomes result from people trying to avoid conflict with one another, being highly cohesive, and results is questionable decision making (Oliver, 2013). Houghton Mifflin publication of Victims of Groupthink: A Psychological Study of Foreign-Policy Decisions
The id and superego are on two opposite ends of the spectrum, and they are polar opposite to another, but they each live inside humans. The id is the primal instincts of one’s self it has; it is the
In one person’s life, the psychoanalytical theory has three major parts that represent who each individual is and how they represent themselves to the rest of world. The first part is the ID, which is the only component that is supposedly present since birth. The second is the Ego, which is responsible for dealing with what is real and what is fake. The Superego is the third component; it holds all of our morals and beliefs that we pick up from our family and the rest of the world. The Superego helps us distinguish what is right from what is wrong.
A group can be define as ‘any number of people who (1) interact with one another; (2) are psychologically aware of one another and (3) perceive themselves to be a group’ (Mullins, L, 2007, p.299). Certain task can only be performed by combined effort of a group. Organisation can use groups to carry out projects, which will help to achieve its overall aim. However, for the group to be successful they must understand what is expected of them and have the right skill to complete the task. . (Mullins, L, 2006)
Several experiments and researches have been conducted that have focused on how people behave in groups. The findings have revealed that groups affect peoples’ attitudes, behavior and perceptions. Groups are essential for personal life, as well as in work life.
The id, ego, and superego play a vital role in a person's development of their personality. If thy work together in harmony a person will grow up to be a be a healthy mentally person.