Gregory Moorhead

Group Decision Fiascoes Continue: Space Shuttle Challenger and a Revised Groupthink Framework

This paper reviews the decision situation surrounding the decision to launch the space shuttle Challenger in January 1986 in the light of the groupthink hypothesis. A revised framework is presented that proposes time and leadership style as moderators of the manner in which group characteristics lead to groupthink symptoms.

An Empirical Investigation of the Groupthink Phenomenon

This paper reports results of an empirical investigation of the groupthink theoreticalframework presented in Janissecond edition of Groupthink. Factor analysis was used to develop scales to measure the aspects of groupthink proposed by Janis (1982). Results supported some, but not all, of the symptoms and defects postulated by Janis. Next, a path analytic procedure was utilized to test the implied causal ordering of the Groupthink model (Janis, 1982, p. 244). This study provides limited support for the causal sequence specified in the model. However, the relationship between groupthink-induced decision defects and outcomes were not as strong as Janis suggests. These results prompt the authors to agree with Courtright (1978) that many intervening and/or moderating factors not included in the Janis framework influence decision outcomes.

Jury Deliberations in the Trial of U.S. v. John DeLorean: A Case Analysis of Groupthink Avoidance and an Enhanced Framework

This paper utilizes the groupthink framework (Janis, 1983) to analyze the jury deliberations in the trial of U.S. v. John DeLorean. Based on this analysis, an enhanced groupthink framework is presented that attempts to highlight a major factor that accounts for why defective decision-making does not occur in situations in which groupthink antecedent conditions are present that is, the presence of methodical decision-making procedures.

The Empirical Dimensionality of the Job Characteristic Inventory

The article discusses a study designed to asses the cross-sample stability of the job characteristics inventory (JCI). According to the author, the JCI could have utility for task design research. ...

Symbolic and International Perspectives on Leadership: An Integrative Framework

This paper presents the development of a Symbolic Interactional Leadership model. The model integrates three emergent streams of thought, symbolic action, reciprocal interactions, and interactionalpsychology, into afresh approach which offers considerable advancement over simple, unidirectional, bivariate, static models. Implications for future theory and research are discussed.

Development of the Groupthink Assessment Inventory

This paper reports the development of the Groupthink Assessment Inventory (GAI)—a paper-and-pencil instrument that assesses the critical variables of Janiss groupthink hypothesis. The major tenets of the groupthink hypothesis are reviewed and discussed and the results of a preliminary study to test the validity of the GAI are reported.