In groupthink theory, a mindguard is a member of a group who serves as an informational filter, providing limited information to the group and, consciously or subconsciously, utilizing a variety of strategies to control dissent and to direct the decision-making process toward a specific, limited range of possibilities.1 The presence of mindguards within a group is one of eight main "symptoms" of groupthink identified by its original theorist, Irving Janis.2 Mindguards can be self-appointed,2 and multiple mindguards are frequently present in groupthink situations.
The techniques utilized, consciously or subconsciously, by mindguards include:
- time pressure in regard to decision-making
- bandwagon effect/information cascades
- reframing situations to increase pressure toward or away from a specific outcome
- creating a sense that group cohesion will suffer if unanimity is lacking
- other techniques.3
Mindguards exist in a variety of group settings. They are not always easy to identify, which adds to the difficulty in countering the phenomenon.
References
References
- Evans, Martin G. (January 24, 1981). "'Group Think' can be disastrous". Letter to the Editor. Financial Post. Toronto. Archived from the original on 2015-10-02. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- Janis, I. L. (November 1971). "Groupthink" (PDF). Psychology Today. 5 (6): 43–46, 74–76. Archived from the original on April 1, 2010.
- Chi, Thomas; Chien, Shiao; Lai, Phillina; Paez, Andy; Switzer, Margaret; Underwood, Baxter, "The Theory of Groupthink Applied to Nanking", in Cook, Karen; Cooper, Robin (eds.), Critical Eye on Nanking, retrieved 2022-03-20