Too many cooks spoil the broth.

OR

Two (or more) heads are better than one.

Which is it???

Best functioning member of group can perform better individually than the group performs.

BUT! The group performs better than the average member of a group can perform individually.

(Ashare the wealth@)

Two heads are better than one --

- IF they have different opinions, backgrounds, expertise

- AND they share these different points of view

When brainstorming...

Better for group members to do it individually, then share ideas than to brainstorm together (Hill, 1982)

group polarization -- tendency for group to polarize in the direction its members were already leaning.

(Originally called Arisky shifts@ -- not entirely accurate term)

Groupthink:

(term coined by Irving Janis)

Mode of thinking and deciding by groups in which group cohesiveness is emphasized at the expense of thorough consideration of alternatives, resulting in poor decisions.

When does group think occur?

1) cohesive group

2) isolated from other viewpoints

3) directive leader (group knows what leader wants)

4) stress -- time constraints, threat to group, budget limits

5) no procedure for considering alternative plans

Symptoms of groupthink:

1) perceptions of invulnerability

2) rationalizing, discounting warnings

3) belief they=re right, good; others are wrong/evil

4) illusion of unanimity

5) "mindguards" and self-censorship

What happens?

1) focus on one or few possible options

2) don=t consider implications of options