“Abilene Paradox” How does this situation arise?

In every situation where we unintentionally agree to keep up with the majority, we actually do so We encounter this paradox. So what could be the real reason for this paradox?

Sometimes tracking group dynamics can yield unexpected results.

This is exactly the situationdefined by Erry B. Harvey He appears before us with the “Abilene Paradox”. This paradox can be defined as individuals not acting in accordance with their own desires and seeking harmony within the group, causing collective decisions to conflict with individual desires.

This paradox entered our lives with a strange story. One day Jerry Harvey’s father-in-law “Let’s go to Abilene” Everything starts with saying. Although no one in the family is moderate towards this idea, everyone says, “It’s okay.” If no one goes voluntarily, a strange situation arises.

Based on this experience, Harvey decided to investigate the psychological factors behind group decisions.

Abilene paradoxis actually closely related to herd psychology. When individuals get caught up in assumptions about what others think, they are reluctant to express their own opinions. Thus, the decisions they make when they come together do not coincide with individual wishes, and the consensus that exists within the community becomes misleading.

These paradoxes appear in professional terms rather than in everyday life. Harvey observed the economic losses caused by this paradox at a nonprofit organization. According to his observations, managers are reluctant to express their concerns. organization by making wrong decisions They endangered their goals.

So why do we say yes to things we don’t want?

A person cannot easily answer ‘no’ to unwanted situations, for fear of being excluded and criticized. This creates this strange situation. To avoid the Abilene paradox, Encouraging open communication within the group is critical. Creating an environment where individuals can easily express their thoughts strengthens group dynamics.

Appreciating different perspectives and taking a constructive approach to conflict creates a healthy decision-making process without pushing the boundaries of the search for harmony. This can be a good way to prevent things from getting stuck by responding positively to unwanted situations.

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