Introduction
The power of social influence in our society is undeniable. People often conform to group norms and succumb to social pressure, with both positive and negative outcomes. However, one dark aspect of social pressure is groupthink, which significantly impacts human behaviour, particularly in relation to crime and corruption. The prevalence of institutions being branded with the tag of “having a culture of corruption” is deeply concerning. It is alarming to witness the rise of groupthink within these organisations, where the acceptance of corruption as the norm has taken hold.
This article aims to explore the intricate relationship between social pressure, groupthink, and criminal activities and corruption. By shedding light on the underlying mechanisms and implications for society, we can gain a better understanding of this phenomenon.
Groupthink: The Influence of the Collective
Individuals tend to behave differently when they are in groups compared to when they are alone.
Groupthink is a phenomenon where group members prioritise consensus and harmony over critical thinking and independent decision-making. It leads to shared attitudes and the suppression of dissenting voices, characterised by a lack of critical thinking, independent judgment, and diversity of opinions. Groupthink occurs when the desire to maintain group loyalty outweighs making the best choices.
In an environment dominated by groupthink, corruption and crime can become normalised, spreading rapidly and uncontrollably.
Understanding the Causes of Groupthink
Groupthink is a complex phenomenon that can be caused by various factors. One significant cause is social pressure, where a group influences its members to conform to its norms and values. Social pressure can be explicit or implicit and can come from various sources, such as leaders, peers, and social norms. Social pressure can lead to self-censorship, where individuals refrain from expressing their opinions or ideas for fear of being rejected or ostracised by the group.This becomes particularly problematic when the group favours unethical conduct or disobeying rules and laws.
Conformity is another cause of groupthink, referring to individuals adjusting their behaviour or beliefs to match those of the group. It can be driven by the desire for acceptance, the need for affiliation, or the fear of social rejection. Conformity can result in a false sense of agreement, where doubts or reservations about the group’s decisions go unexpressed.
Often, when individuals lack experience or knowledge in a situation, they seek guidance and opinions from the group. This is evident in everyday scenarios where people turn to social media for advice, references, and guidance. While seeking input from others is not inherently problematic, negative consequences arise when the majority offer bad advice or encourage unethical behavior, leading individuals to believe such actions are acceptable. This is known as informative influence. Additionally, confirmation bias occurs when people close themselves off to new information, seeking only confirmation of their existing beliefs. Fear of rejection also contributes to normative influence.
When Social Pressure and Conformity to the Norm have Dire Consequences
Social pressure and conformity can have profound and far-reaching effects. They lead to a lack of creativity, innovation, and critical thinking, as well as a disregard for ethical or moral principles. In an environment dominated by groupthink, individuals are more likely to engage in risky or unethical behaviors like corruption, fraud, or crime. The group’s norms and values override an individual’s sense of right and wrong, and the pressure to conform overrides their moral compass.
Moreover, social pressure and conformity can lead to a false sense of superiority and invulnerability within the group. The group believes that it is immune to criticism, feedback, or external influences, leading to a lack of accountability, transparency, and openness. It also breeds resistance to change or adaptation. In such an environment, groupthink becomes self-reinforcing and self-perpetuating, and it can become a breeding ground for corruption and crime.
Social pressure can create an environment conducive to criminal behaviour, as individuals feel compelled to conform to group norms. This can be especially dangerous and disastrous when the group norm is crime and corruption. People are often swayed by the opinions and actions of their peers. This is evident in our country, where crime and corruption are rampant, and individuals seem to be following the crowd blindly, ignoring rationality and ethics. This could possibly explain why “good” people turn bad. We are witnessing an increasing number of reports about employees and contractors at institutions like Eskom and government engaging in crime and corruption, to the detriment of the organisation, the country, and even themselves. These individuals not only face the constant threat of exposure but also ultimately suffer the consequences of a deteriorating organisation and economy. It raises the question: why do they engage in such behavior? Perhaps it is a result of short-sighted thinking, where the immediate gains outweigh the potential long-term repercussions. Moreover, the influence of groupthink and societal norms may also contribute to their actions. When crime and corruption become pervasive to the point where it seems like everyone is involved, it can be tempting for people to join in, especially when negative consequences appear absent.
Furthermore, those who engage and benefit from crime and corruption tend to pressurise those around them to also be complicit, in order to reduce their chances of being reported.
The Bystander Effect and Diffusion of Responsibility
The bystander effect is a phenomena that tends to occur when there are others around in a situation and their presence discourages an individual from intervening in the situation. The bystander effect can be observed in various situations, such as accidents, crimes, and emergencies. It can have serious consequences, such as loss of life, injury, or property damage. The bystander effect is closely related to groupthink, as both phenomena involve a lack of independent judgment, critical thinking, and ethical principles. In a groupthink environment, individuals are more likely to conform to the behavior of others, even in emergency situations, and they are less likely to take independent action.
The bystander effect can be attributed to two key factors:
- Diffusion of responsibility: This phenomenon arises when individuals assume that someone else will step forward or that it is solely another person’s duty to take action. If everyone waits for someone else to act or take responsibility, no action will be taken at all.
- Social influence: In this case, individuals look to others for guidance or conform to their behavior. They may observe and rely on others for cues on what to do. If nobody initiates action, others are also less likely to take action themselves.
When nobody takes action, people often feel less accountable for their inaction, as they perceive that they are not alone in their passivity. Particularly when there are many witnesses present who witnessed the same situation and did nothing, individuals may feel less responsible for not taking action. Consequently, this leads to a lack of assistance, failure to report faults, and a reluctance to report crimes.
It is easy to shift the responsibility and falsely believe that it is not up to me to blow the whistle especially if I am surrounded by others. The fear of being “the only one” reporting the crime becomes overwhelming. And so no one takes action. The end result: (1) victims of crime are left alone facing the perpetrators, often in the presence of others that could have helped and (2) crimes go unreported even though many witnessed it.
Groupthink and the bystander effect can lead to a culture of silence and secrecy, where individuals do not report or expose corrupt or criminal behaviors for fear of being rejected, ostracised by the group or face retaliation by the group. This can lead to a lack of accountability, transparency, and integrity in society.
It is understandable that reporting crime becomes challenging when individuals receive no protection for their actions and often face retaliation for attempting to stand up and uphold what is right.
Combating Groupthink and Its Impact on Crime
It has become more important than ever to mitigate the negative effects of groupthink to reduce criminal tendencies. The culture of corruption that exist in Government and many of our communities and institutions need to be addressed as a matter of urgency if we are going to survive. The crime and corruption is not only affecting our economy but also affecting the lives of every one of us.
It is crucial for us to adopt a rational mindset and reconnect with our ethical values, recognising that crime and corruption have numerous victims, including ourselves. Engaging in activities like sabotaging infrastructure to secure contracts may yield short-term gains in the form of financial rewards. However, the long-term consequences are significant. Damaged infrastructure leads to skyrocketing prices for essential goods and services, affecting us directly. Furthermore, the discontent with crime and corruption among decent individuals will eventually reach a tipping point, resulting in potential backlash or inevitable exposure. The risks far outweigh the benefits.
To counteract this destructive trend, we must actively promote individual critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and the courage to challenge group norms. By doing so, we can foster a culture that values integrity and discourages the harmful consequences of blind conformity.
Reestablishing morals and ethics within our society can enable the emergence of a new groupthink, one that upholds the social norm of doing good and acting ethically. By generating social pressure to abide by rules and laws, we can collectively work towards creating a more ethical and law-abiding community.
Furthermore, it is essential to thoroughly examine and enforce the role of education, community initiatives, and legal measures in addressing crimes driven by groupthink. These efforts can help dismantle the prevailing culture of corruption and promote a society that prioritises integrity, accountability, and justice.
We need to remain true to ourselves and our ethics. We need to stand up and speak up against crime and corruption. We need to follow the example of the heroes who have stood up for what was right, who have said enough! We need to stop being silent when we witness wrongdoing.
Summary and Conclusion
When individuals succumb to the pressures of fitting in and adhering to the prevailing norms, they may find themselves engaged in illicit activities they would not have otherwise considered. The fear of being ostracised or labeled as an outcast can drive people to compromise their integrity and participate in criminal acts. Moreover, the collective reinforcement of deviant behaviour within groups can create a distorted sense of right and wrong, further perpetuating corruption. The insidious nature of social pressure and conformity makes it imperative to address these underlying influences to effectively combat crime and corruption in society.
By promoting individual critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and the courage to challenge group norms, we can foster a culture that upholds integrity and discourages the damaging consequences of blind conformity.
The reintroduction of morals and ethics into our society can lead to a new form of groupthink, where ethical behaviour and doing good are shared by everyone, and there is social pressure to abide by rules and laws.
Additionally, we need to assess and enforce the role of education, community initiatives, and legal measures in addressing crimes driven by groupthink. Education and awareness play a vital role in combating groupthink by informing individuals about its symptoms and consequences. By teaching ethics and morals to our children and reminding ourselves of the value of following rules, acting ethically, and upholding personal responsibility, we can shape a more just and ethical society.
Encouraging positive community initiatives and reinforcing our values can also contribute to combating groupthink. By remembering our morals, promoting good values, and being proactive rather than passive bystanders, we can inspire others to take action and make a positive difference in our society.
Finally, it is crucial to have the courage to speak out against crime and corruption. We must draw inspiration from those who have stood up for what is right and say “enough.” Keeping silent when witnessing wrongdoing is not an option if we want to create positive change.