Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M1093

Go Fever

Go Fever
BehaviorHigh supportOrganizational Behavior
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A phenomenon observed by NASA during the Challenger disaster. When an organization is driven by schedule pressure, high sunk costs, and public expectations, even when danger signals are visible, it collectively falls into an irrational fever of 'must launch at all costs.'

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Group braking. When the whole team is excited and shouting 'just do it,' as the clear-headed one, you must play the role of the 'spoilsport.' That moment of fever is usually a precursor to disaster.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

A group psychology before project/product launch: to meet set deadlines, the group collectively ignores risks and defects, suppresses dissent, similar to 'go fever,' often leading to accidents.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_feverZH · Explicit
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