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
Wheeling, West Virginia metropolitan area Wheeling, West Virginia metropolitan area The Wheeling, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and one in eastern Ohio, anchored by the city of Wheeling. As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 147,950. This represents a decline of 3.4% from the 2000 census population of 153,172. Greater Wheeling is generally considered part of the Pittsburgh Tri-State area, as the area is heavily influenced by Pittsburgh media and transportation (notably Pittsburgh International Airport), as well as some Ohio