The Core Idea

• Priority shifts from reality to unity
• Dissent gets suppressed quietly
• Alternative viewpoints disappear

Origin Of The Term

• Coined by Irving Janis in 1972
• Studied flawed group decisions
• Asked why good groups choose badly

How It Takes Root

• Strong bonds discourage criticism
• Isolation reinforces shared assumptions
• Dominant leaders suppress dissent

Pressure Cooker

• High stakes push for quick consensus
• Stress favors speed over accuracy
• Harmony feels safer than challenge

False Confidence

• Group believes it cannot fail
• Members rationalize away the risks
• Belief in their own morality blinds them

Outsiders And Silence

• Rivals get stereotyped as inferior
• Members self-censor their doubts
• Silence is mistaken for agreement

Mindguards

• Certain members block outside information
• Dissenters get ignored or ridiculed
• Pressure falls on anyone who questions

The Consequences

• Critical risks get missed
• Disasters and failures follow
• Creativity and trust erode