Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of
people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group
results in an incorrect or deviant decision-making outcome. Group
members try to minimize conflict and reach a consensus decision without
critical evaluation of alternative ideas or viewpoints, and by isolating
themselves from outside influences.
Loyalty to the group requires individuals to avoid raising controversial
issues or alternative solutions, and there is loss of individual
creativity, uniqueness and independent thinking. The dysfunctional group
dynamics of the "ingroup" produces an "illusion of invulnerability" (an
inflated certainty that the right decision has been made). Thus the
"ingroup" significantly overrates their own abilities in
decision-making, and significantly underrates the abilities of their
opponents (the "outgroup"). - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groupthink
Sound familiar? Reminds me of something that starts with the letter 's' and rhymes with drool.
Also related: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_rejection