Here's an interesting bit about "groupthink" from wikipedia. I've added comments [in parentheses].
[
en.wikipedia.org]
Symptoms of groupthink
In order to make groupthink testable, Irving Janis devised eight symptoms that are indicative of groupthink (1977).
1. Illusions of invulnerability creating excessive optimism and encouraging risk taking.
[Landmark's so-called "possibilities" and "unreasonableness."]
2. Rationalising warnings that might challenge the group's assumptions.
[They dismiss critics as "cynical & negative" and rarely acknowledge any real concerns.]
3. Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causing members to ignore the consequences of their actions.
[No one seems to do much questioning of certain of the more perverse, deviant, or exploitive of the behaviors of members. Has anyone seen any Landmarkers commenting on the behavior of Darren Mack, for instance?]
4. Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, disfigured, impotent, or stupid.
["Cynical & negative," again.}
5. Direct pressure to conform placed on any member who questions the group, couched in terms of "disloyalty".
[Members are encouraged to be "coachable." And I'd say the pressure is certainly direct.]
6. Self censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.
[Yes. We've seen enough of that.]
7. Illusions of unanimity among group members, silence is viewed as agreement.
[All the phony-baloney "Landmark identity" and "branding" stuff like calling themselves "graduates," for instance.]
8. Mindguards — self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting information.
["Those-who-assist," and door-guards, I presume.]
Ellen