Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of individuals in which the quest for harmony/conformity within the group results in irrational and/or poor decision-making. One early instance of groupthink was depicted in the Babylonic Talmud, where it claimed that not only did the Jewish people no longer need God after their encounter at Mt. Sinai, but also claimed that God must be made subservient to a majority vote of the Rabbinic council.
Academia and leftist groupthink
Students in American universities and lack of critical thinking development
Critical thinking is a vital skill to prevent groupthink.
An American study found that forty-five percent of students achieved no significant improvement in their critical thinking, reasoning or writing skills during their first two years of college. After four years, 36 percent displayed no significant increases in these so-called "higher order" thinking skills.
Students, particularly those who made poor curriculum choices, are increasingly angry that college does not adequately prepare them for the marketplace and leaves them with a pile of debt. See also: Worst college majors
- "Since God already gave the Torah to the Jewish people on Mt. Sinai we no longer pay attention to heavenly voices. God must submit to the decisions of a majority vote of the rabbis." —Babylonic Talmud Bava Metzia 59b
- The Dry Rot of Groupthink in Academia, National Review
- Leftist Groupthink in Academia
- Suspicions Confirmed: Academia Shutting Out Conservative Professors
- Accuracy in Academia - About
- Rimer, Sara (January 18, 2011). "Study: Many college students not learning to think critically". The Hechinger Report. Reprinted at McClatchyDC website/News/Nation-World/National.
- Vedder, Richard (April 5, 2011). "The higher education bubble". Forbes website/Sites/CCAP.