• Health commentary

    Groupthink … in a COVID-19 world

    Groupthink is a pattern of thought characterised by forced manufacture of consent and conformity to group values and ethics. The concept originates from the work of a social psychologist, Professor Irvin Janis, who coined the term in 1972. In groupthink groups of highly intelligent people at times make poor decisions when insulated from the divergent opinions of people outside the group. Under these circumstances a person within the group, although holding an alternative view, will withhold that view to appear to remain part of the group, while the group will reject an alternative view originating from outside the group. There are many examples of this and its negative consequences within…