Mindguard

A mindguard is a member of a group who serves to protect the group leader or other members from information that might contradict the group's prevailing consensus or shared beliefs. The role of the mindguard is often unconscious or self-appointed, stemming from a desire to maintain group cohesion and avoid dissent. The mindguard actively filters information, preventing dissenting opinions or critical analysis from reaching the group. This can involve suppressing external sources, censoring internal communications, or pressuring individuals to conform. The presence of mindguards is a characteristic of groupthink, a psychological phenomenon where the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making. By shielding the group from dissenting viewpoints, mindguards contribute to a closed environment where alternative solutions and critical self-reflection are stifled. This can lead to poor decisions based on incomplete or biased information. The concept of the mindguard was introduced and popularized by Irving Janis in his research on groupthink.