1C Formative Assessment #1 for Groupthink Essay
The Assignment: Write an extended definition of Groupthink for your introductory paragraph.
Write an Extended Definition of Groupthink for Your Introduction
First, get a strong grasp of Groupthink, an idea coined by Irving Janis in 1972. You can start by consulting the following:
“Groupthink” in Psychology Today gives a succinct definition.
“Groupthink” in Communication Theory elaborates on the important distinguishing characteristics (The 8 Symptoms of Groupthink), many of which you can use as paragraphs for your essay.
What Is Groupthink?
Groupthink can be defined as a consensus that is reached without performing due diligence or critical reasoning and evaluation.
Often Groupthink deteriorates into irrational, self-destructive behavior as a result of everyone being too cowardly and too desperate to conform so there is a fear of dissent.
Groupthink is born from the tribal instinct for belonging and the desire for group unity and cohesiveness.
What class should we place our single-sentence definition of Groupthink?
There is no single correct answer, but here are some suggestions:
One. Groupthink is a form of mindless consensus.
Two. Groupthink is a tribalistic instinct.
Three. Groupthink is please-the-others impulse.
Four. Groupthink is a conformity reflex.
What are the distinguishing characteristics of Groupthink?
Irving Janis broke down Groupthink into 8 symptoms, which appropriately are the distinguishing characteristics.
Eight symptoms of Groupthink include the following:
One. Overestimating the group’s power, infallibility, and morality to the point that the group is perceived as being invincible and invulnerable to the possibility of being wrong.
Two. The narcissistic belief that one’s group is superior to other groups without any objective evaluation. This arrogance causes people to ignore warnings and negative feedback so that they rationalize their stupid behavior.
Three. Close-mindedness and a reliance on tradition rather than critical analysis so that they ignore moral and ethical concerns and can enjoy their continued “in-group” status.
Four. The pressure for everyone in the group to conform, “to be polite,” and “get with the program” so that there is uniformity at the expense of critical analysis.
Five. Self-censorship resulting from the fear of being expelled by the tribe.
Six. Mindguards who repel any challenge to the status quo.
Seven. The ability to rationalize negative outcomes.
Eight. The ability to change the goalposts so that the group can re-define success.
Start writing your introduction, an extended definition of Groupthink:
Helping your readers have a clear grasp of a central term in your essay makes your writing more clear and effective. The Purdue Writing Lab has an effective description of extended definitions with the link here.
Instructions for This Assignment
In an extended definition paragraph, do the following:
One. Write a single-sentence definition of the term. A single-sentence definition contains the term, the class, and its defining characteristics. Then flesh out those distinguishing characteristics with examples.
Example: Narcissism
Narcissism is a psychological disease in which the narcissist suffers from exaggerated grandiosity, an insatiable appetite for other people’s admiration, and an utter disregard for other people’s needs.
Breaking it down:
Narcissism is the term.
Psychological disease is the class.
Exaggerated grandiosity, an insatiable appetite for other people’s admiration, and an utter disregard for other people’s needs.
After the single-sentence definition, flesh out the definition with an example.
Narcissism is a psychological disease in which the narcissist suffers from exaggerated grandiosity, an insatiable appetite for other people’s admiration, and an utter disregard for other people’s needs. For example, I know a narcissistic couple, both nurses at the same hospital, who obsessively work out at the gym and take highly edited photos of each other posing in gardens, forests, and pastures, and they post these photos for their half million Instagram followers. This couple is addicted to Instagram fame, but deep down their lives are empty and full of rot despair. Even their relationship is a hollow artifice defined by the constant thirst for adulation, a mask they feebly wear to conceal their sorrows.
Apply the above to Groupthink.
So what is Groupthink? Write a single-sentence definition with the class and distinguishing characteristics. Flesh out your paragraph with a gut-punching anecdote or example you’ve seen.
List of Requirements for This Assignment
One. Your extended definition of Groupthink should provide a strong framework for your body paragraphs as you analyze one of the stories or the Netflix documentary FYRE.
Two. Your extended definition should have a single-sentence definition, distinguishing characteristics, and compelling examples.
Three. Your paragraph should have sufficient detail evidenced by a length of about 150-200.
Four. Your paragraph should be uploaded as an attachment to either turnitin or Unicheck, depending on which platform has a contract with the college.
Learning Objectives for Formative Assessment #1, Writing Extended Definition Paragraph for Your Groupthink Essay
One. Develop a deeper understanding of Groupthink as a counterforce to independent and critical thinking.
Two. Develop a deeper grasp of the consequences of Groupthink.
Three. Learn how to design and structure an extended definition paragraph.
How I Break Down Your Grade for This Assignment of 25 Points
One. Clarity and usefulness of your extended definition paragraph for framing your story or documentary analysis, 10 points.
Two. Have sufficient details to establish a meaningful, authentic approach to the subject. A writer never wants to just “go through the motions,” that is to say, deliver a perfunctory effort. Deliver the degree of authenticity and meaning this subject deserves, 10 points.
Three. Write full sentences and avoid sentence mechanics, spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Be especially mindful of avoiding comma splice and sentence fragments, 5 points.
Read Your Feedback on Assignment Comments
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Your Sources for This Assignment:
For Groupthink:
One. “Groupthink” in Psychology Today gives a succinct definition.
Two. “Groupthink” in Communication Theory elaborates on the important distinguishing characteristics (The 8 Symptoms of Groupthink), many of which you can use as paragraphs for your essay.
Three. YouTube video by Khan Academy: “Conformity and Groupthink”
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