In understanding what goes on at poleshift.ning, it has to do with conformity in social situations. Consider this:
"Groupthink is a phenomenon that occurs when a group made up of members who may be very competent and thus quite capable of making excellent decisions nevertheless ends up, as a result of a flawed group process and strong conformity pressures, making a poor decision (Baron, 2005; Janis, 2007). Groupthink is more likely to occur in groups whose members feel a strong group identity, when there is a strong and directive leader.... The problem is that groups suffering from groupthink become unwilling to seek out or discuss discrepant or unsettling information about the topic at hand, and the group members do not express contradictory opinions. Because the group members are afraid to express opinions that contradict those of the leader, or to bring in outsiders who have other information, the group is prevented from making a fully informed decision.
...
"It has been suggested that groupthink was involved in a number of well-known and important, but very poor, decisions made by government and business groups, including the decision to invade Iraq made by President Bush and his advisors in 2002, the crashes of two Space Shuttle missions in 1986 and 2003, and the decision of President John Kennedy and his advisors to commit U.S. forces to help invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro in 1962. Analyses of the decision-making processes in these cases have documented the role of conformity pressures.
"As a result of the high levels of conformity in these groups, the group begins to see itself as extremely valuable and important, highly capable of making high-quality decisions, and invulnerable. The group members begin to feel that they are superior and do not need to seek outside information. Such a situation is conducive to terrible decision-making and resulting fiascoes."
Introduction to Psychology, v.1.0, By Charles Stangor, 2006.
Thus, dominant personalities like AstroGal and terrible decision-making, like posting inflammatory posts instead of simply rebutting perceived erroneous information with facts. Thus, the subservience to the Lieder and fear of expressing opinions that contradict the Lieder. Also, the fear of being banned is a factor in conformity.
Comments
Thanks, Scott. No, the elephants usually don't announce their next step. :-)
Excellent post on "groupthink"; accurate definition.
One who consciously removes oneself emotionally
from the group in substantive discussion but
instead ascertains the facts at hand either supporting
group consensus or substantively opposes consensus
based on old or new facts can walk a "lonely road"
at times. But, in matters of spirit, intent can be
everything. Once heard a US OPM official state:
"honesty in the federal government is counter cultural".
Intellectual honesty and accurate assessment of
fact takes courage and articulation.
Also heard a quote: "unrelenting social pressure
to the group or "leader" usually sacrifices critical
thinking". Like you said leadership is accepting
of dissenting views if based in fact so articulated without
"frowardness" (deliberately contradictory for the
sake of being contrary or purposely difficult by
pattern of behavior. Those folks are usually easy
to spot over time.
Leaders lead by good example and circumspect,
self evident (over time) behavior and reasonable
deference to other views. Managers are like
elephants and don't often inform the mice where
they're going to step next.
Good website. Keep up the good work.
Don't often post but may do more in the future.
Thanks,
Scott
They should. It might prevent some embarrassing moments.
Yes, the fear ban there is quite strong!! With members who have migrated here have voiced many times over. Their Leider has voiced on some postings that suspension will occur if they don;t their homework! That is crazy!!! A good leader VALUES all opinions even if they differ from their own.