Groupthink and its Impact on Moral Judgement

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a group of people prioritize harmony and agreement, often at the cost of critical thinking or moral reasoning. In these situations, alternative ideas and ethical considerations are shut down, to the point where silence is preferred and a false illusion of unanimity is spread. The desire to conform unfortunately leads to suppressing doubts and making wrong decisions, while disregarding moral standards and potential consequences

We see examples of groupthink in many different settings. In the workplace, employees may ignore unethical practices, like cutting corners or using inadequate materials, or unfair treatment of coworkers. In the classroom, group project members may stay silent when one of them claims credit for something they did not do. In friend groups, some may be reluctant to speak up to a bully who is mistreating or talking badly about someone else, or maybe spreading false rumors. Repeatedly, this normalizes hurtful behavior. Peer pressure among teenagers may lead to risky behavior, like underage driving, or unethical behavior, like cheating. Modern-day groupthink occurs on social media. People often join in on “canceling” someone, following the crowd and without hearing the full story or checking for accuracy. Even in modern politics, for fear of being criticized or losing party support, politicians and party members often support harmful policies or spread misinformation. Sometimes, global thinking and foreign policy are influenced, seen in collective justification of aggressive actions or violations of human rights. These cases are especially dangerous because decisions affect millions of people.

It is very important to recognize groupthink behavior and the impacts on moral judgement. Following the crowd while overlooking the ethical implications, or staying silent about wrongful actions of others, or even participating in the harmful trends ourselves, all lead to the sacrifice of our values. We should always strive to speak up and stay true to what we believe in, even if it means we stand alone, apart from the group.