Social Media Encourages Groupthink

Ever wonder why some comment threads in Facebook or Twitter are almost completely agreeing with the topic (or maybe resisting it depending on the first comment)?  Well, according to groupthink mentality, it may be because of the people with the different view feeling the same anxieties as if they were speaking in public.  Social media is more and more integrated as we continue, and borders are disappearing at the same rate.  Somebody from Kuwait could be fluidly and flawlessly talking with somebody from Brazil someday.  These disappearing borders could cause some issues though.  A person’s comment on an issue could be more and more restricted because of the agreements.

When a person leaves a comment, it’s basically the same as them shouting it out to all who can see it.  People can then add on a comment to that or to the original post.  In a groupthink situation, when people answer a question or speak a comment before the different thinker can answer, that different thinker will adjust and give the same answer as the group (this experiment can be seen here) leaving that comment unrepresented.  Only a bold few will be able to freely leave their comment, but it will still be heavily impacted by the previous responses.  Because of the disappearing borders, it also becomes easier to argue.

When this “rogue” comment comes into play, some people who don’t see the other viewpoint will retaliate and possibly leave harsh responses, telling the “rogue” they are wrong.  The argument then starts, sometimes called a “flame war” if it escalates to a large enough degree.  This “rogue” is pounced upon, almost like if he was in Africa and covered in meat, left with a bunch of lions and tigers and bears (oh my!).  The big question will be, who will defend the “rogue” comment and who will add on to the attacking?  What normally happens is the same as any other groupthink situation, the “rogue” is left alone and the group attacks until they change their mind.

Keep in mind when leaving comments, it’s the same as talking with somebody, if not more difficult since text can’t really hold emotion.  Try to see things from another person’s perspective, and if they are getting attacked, then back them up, even if your view is different from their’s.