Abilene paradox attitudes towards them if they do not go along. This action-anxiety arises from what Harvey termed "negative fantasies"—unpleasant visualizations of what the group might say or do if individuals are honest about their opinions—when there is "real risk" of displeasure and negative consequences for not going along. The individual may experience "separation anxiety", fearing exclusion from the group. The theory is often used to help explain extremely poor group decisions, especially notions of the superiority of "rule by committee". For example, Harvey himself cited the Watergate scandal as a potential instance of the Abilene paradox in action. The Watergate scandal
Abilene, Texas metropolitan area Winters Freeway. Abilene, Texas metropolitan area The Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in west central Texas that covers three counties—Taylor, Jones, and Callahan. As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 165,252 (though a 1 July 2016 estimate placed the population at 169,893). As of the census of 2000, there were 160,245 people, 58,475 households, and 40,799 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 81.52% White, 6.83% African American, 0.57% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 7.78% from other races, and 2.19% from two or more races. Hispanic