ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies common pitfalls in the group decision-making process and provides a remedy for this problem. There is no denying the fact that the actions of the federal law enforcement agencies at Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas, during the spring of 1993 were monumental failures. Dr. Janis identified several major factors that ensure a poor decision because of Group Think. These include: Illusion of invulnerability creates excessive optimism leading to extreme risks; a collective effort to rationalize in order to discount intelligence or warnings of failure; and unquestioned belief in the group’s inherent morality. Some suggest that the concept of Group Think is not an appropriate explanation for the management decisions at Waco. They said, and told the Senate committee, that one must add the effect of arrogant on-scene and headquarters leadership that initially ignored and eventually eroded or isolated opposition to their action-oriented solution.
