GROUPTHINK AND CONFORMITY

If there are two words that really get me angry, these are they. I think it’s worthwhile giving a short overview, so here is mine.

Groupthink is the method of thinking when the desire for harmony and in decision-making groups takes precedence over–rides a realistic evaluation of alternatives. The negative to this is the complete loss of personal individuality, creativity and independent thinking. Conformity to me is the almost deliberate attempt by an individual to shield himself from criticism and peer-group negativity towards him.

The joint effect is to come to a conclusion with the least possible angst whilst at the same time showing to the external world a high level of group cohesiveness and esprit de corps.

Many years ago at University, I was involved in a debate on salary structures. As everyone knows the young start on low salaries which rise over time until retirement. (This is conformity). My viewpoint was totally opposite (basically because I was lazy, did no research and felt I could out-think the other side). I proposed inverting the salary pyramid – starting high and ending low. My reasoning was that it is ones early years that money is more than a pressing need. With appropriate education from school onwards in how to handle personal financial affairs, the more prudent members of society would use their money in the correct manner and by retirement they would have amassed ample funds without too much reliance on the state. Those who were less prudent and “spent” without thought of the future would find themselves in trouble at retirement and should not expect the state to give them hand-outs just because of their earlier stupidity.  I was listened to in polite silence and then cynically told by the debating chair “yes, well it’s an interesting concept, but it goes against all the usual norms”.

If we wish to progress both individually and as a society, we need to extract ourselves from the habits and attitudes of the past, leave the conformity and groupthink and be ourselves. The occasional odd idea or concept starts the thinking process in others and may eventually become a new norm.

If there is one thing that the human race is pretty good at, it is thinking – and it must be preserved.

Until next time (and still debating),

Peripatetic Scribe