IDENTIFYING VICTIMS OF GROUPTHINK FROM PUBLIC STATEMENTS OF DECISION MAKERS

Tested hypotheses derived from I. Janis's (1972) groupthink analysis of several foreign policy decisions of the American government. Content analyses were performed using the public statements of key decision makers involved in crises for which Janis's case studies revealed or did not reveal evidence of groupthink. Consistent with Janis's theory, it was found that, relative to non-groupthink decision makers, groupthink decision makers were more simplistic in their perceptions of policy issues and made more positive references to the US and its allies (own group). Inconsistent with Janis's theory, groupthink decision makers did not make significantly more negative references to Communist states and their allies (opponents). Methodological and practical obstacles to definitive testing of the groupthink model are examined. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.