Abilene paradox management expert Jerry B. Harvey in his 1974 article "The Abilene Paradox: The Management of Agreement". The name of the phenomenon comes from an anecdote that Harvey uses in the article to elucidate the paradox: Ronald Sims writes that the Abilene paradox is similar to groupthink, but differs in significant ways, including that in groupthink individuals are not acting contrary to their conscious wishes and generally feel good about the decisions the group has reached. According to Sims, in the Abilene paradox, the individuals acting contrary to their own wishes are more likely to have negative feelings about the outcome.
Abilene, Texas metropolitan area 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 or Latino