“Groupthink is a psychological phenome-
Whenever a few people meet or work to-
non that occurs within a group of people in
gether, they make groups and Muslims are
which the desire for harmony or conformity
not separate from this phenomenon. But
in the group results in an irrational or dys-
when we grow in numbers we tend to di-
functional decision-making outcome. Group
vide, in opinions, in thinking, in ac-
members try to minimize conflict and reach
tion. Which is good when it comes to work
a consensus decision without critical evalua-
and charity. We need the group to think to-
tion of alternative viewpoints by actively
gether and make things better but when
suppressing dissenting viewpoints, and by
this thinking process becomes convoluted,
isolating themselves from outside influ-
trouble starts. Humans are resilient crea-
ences.
tures, at the same time fearful creatures.
They like to protect what they got or devel-
Groupthink requires individuals to avoid
oped. They like to live a comfortable and
raising controversial issues or alternative so-
safe life.
lutions, and there is a loss of individual creativity, uniqueness and independent thinking.
Similarly, when we make groups among
The dysfunctional group dynamics of the
ourselves, based on social, economic or “I
"ingroup" produces an "illusion of invulnera-
scratch your back and you scratch mine”
bility" (an inflated certainty that the right
reason, this stagnancy of opinions occurs.
decision
the
Input of fresh ideas, using our hikmah in
"ingroup" significantly overrates its own
emotionally intelligent ways, get stuck. Lack
abilities in decision-making and significantly
of new opinions starts to rot. These groups
underrates the abilities of its opponents
usually are started to do decent work but
(the "outgroup"). Furthermore, groupthink
due to the group thinking doors are shut
can produce dehumanizing actions against
towards the free speech and rationality. If
the "outgroup"
challenged, these groups get offended or
has
been
made).
Thus
become a bully. We have seen this happen-
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
(Continued on page 19)
Groupthink 18
