what causes groupthink
janis also identified certain factors that may contribute to or exacerbate problems related to groupthink one of the key factors is group identity when there is a strong sense of shared identity group members may place a higher value on in group perspectives and disregard those perspectives from outside the group leadership influences may also be a factor members may be more likely to ignore their own misgivings if the group has a powerful or charismatic leader 1information levels and stress may also contribute to groupthink by causing group members to act irrationally if members of the group lack information or feel that other members are better informed they may be more likely to defer to others in group decision making high stress situations can also contribute to poor decisions by reducing the opportunities for careful discussion 31these issues may be exacerbated by extrinsic factors such as the perception of an external threat to the group or isolation from outside sources of information group members might not be able to make rational decisions when they believe that they are under urgent pressure for immediate action groupthink can be exacerbated by a strong leader or a strong sense of pressure to make an immediate decision 