Groupthink Analysis

Superficially the ideas promoted through groupthink often result in decisions appearing well founded and heavily supported, however the outcomes of such decisions are most frequently detrimental. Factors of cognitive dissonance are quite often evident in members of groupthink decisions, with individuals finding in reflection that they generally possessed ideas starkly contrasting the concepts which they just publically supported. Such incongruity in beliefs and decisions according to Hackman and Johnson arise when groups “put unanimous agreement above all other considerations” (Hackman Johnson 214). Personally through my participation in my local caving club, the Paha Sapa Grotto, I have witnessed and fallen victim to groupthink, the ramifications of which are still negatively effecting the grotto today.
In 2012 the owner of Brooks Cave, a
significant and beautiful cave located in the heart of the Black Hills, approached the Paha Sapa Grotto about the possible sale of the cave and the overlying land.
The owner, who for several decades had been a friendly with cavers, openly allowing access, was ailing and wanted to ensure that her precious cave was protected for future generations even after her passing. Our caving club of course jumped at the opportunity to own such a pristine cave and piece of land, however, it quickly became apparent that finances were an obvious problem. Not wanting to lose the opportunity to aqurried and protect the cave however, purchase activity moved forward, in hopes our parent organization the National Speleological Society would be able to assist in funding. As we moved forward as an organization everyone was overwhelmed by the excitement of soon having unrestricted access to Brooks Cave. However, it quickly became apparent that even with the NSS’s funding the grotto itself would have to raise almost 50,000 dollars over five years. Considering the grotto consists of approximately 30 people, this fact alone should have triggered alarms. Interestingly enough however not a single individual showed public
concern for this potentially massive burden, and the group unanimously voted to move forward with acquisition. Later during caving trips with members of the grotto, discussion ultimately turned to the land acquisition, and my brother and I along with a number of other cavers personally acknowledged our disbelief that we had left the grotto with such a significant financial burden. Our failure to address our concerns during the public meetings however, projected the image of a unanimous group in favor of the acquisition, and as such we had unwilling fostered an environment in which the impossible seemed suddenly achievable. This failure to speak out and belief in the impossible parallel, illusions of invulnerability, and self-censorship, two characteristics Hackman and Johnson associate directly with groupthink. Three years have now passed since the grotto signed the mortgage for Brooks Cave land, however, the ramifications of our poor decision are far from final. While, the grotto has been desperately strapped for cash during this time, it now also becoming readily apparent that soon we will have to default on the loan and lose the land, quite possibly forever. Additionally, the grotto as whole has been in the decline, as the mortgage’s immense burden has effectively inhibited us from allocating resources to anything other than the mortgage itself. Undoubtedly we all now regret that poor decision three years ago, however, at the time we were too arrogant to acknowledge the collective group invulnerability and personal doubts we harbored. Foolishly ignoring these fundamental warning signs of group think, our incredible desire for preservation and conservation blinded our sight and as such set in motion the potential destruction of that which we sought most to protect.