Type I: Overestimations of the group — its power and morality

• Illusions of invulnerability create excessive optimism and encourage risk-taking.
• Unquestioned belief in the morality of the group, causes members to ignore the consequences of their actions.

Type II: Closed-mindedness

• Rationalizing warnings that might challenge the group's assumptions.
• Stereotyping those who are opposed to the group as weak, evil, biased, spiteful, impotent, or stupid.

Type III: Pressures toward uniformity

• Self-censorship of ideas that deviate from the apparent group consensus.
• In illusions of unanimity among group members, silence is viewed as agreement.
• Direct pressure to conform is placed on any member who questions the group, couched in terms of "disloyalty"
• Mindguards— self-appointed members who shield the group from dissenting information.