What is group think?

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a group prioritizes consensus and harmony over critical thinking and individualized judgment. This leads to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment within the group. When groupthink is present, members may suppress dissenting viewpoints, fail to critically analyze alternatives, and ultimately make poor decisions because of their desire to maintain group cohesion.

In the context of decision-making, groupthink often results in a lack of critical reasoning. Members of the group may become overly confident in the group’s decisions without questioning underlying assumptions or considering potential consequences. This absence of critical evaluation can lead to significant misunderstandings and errors that could potentially be avoided if a more open and analytical approach were adopted.

In contrast, the other potential answers present alternative concepts that do not fully encapsulate the essence of groupthink. For instance, reaching a consensus through critical evaluation indicates a thorough examination of ideas, which is contrary to the concept of groupthink. A decision-making process in isolation suggests working independently, missing the collaborative aspect of groupthink. Lastly, a method of brainstorming focuses on generating ideas in a free-thinking environment, which opposes the restrictive nature inherent in groupthink.