Groupthink is a phenomenon in which a group's desire for unanimity and cohesion overrides critical thinking and objective decision-making. In a groupthink situation, members prioritize maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict over carefully evaluating different perspectives and potential risks. Dissenting opinions are suppressed or not expressed to preserve group cohesion, leading to a false sense of consensus. Groupthink can result in poor decision-making, as the group becomes insulated from external input and fails to consider alternative viewpoints or potential pitfalls. To counteract groupthink, it is important to encourage open and diverse discussions, welcome dissenting opinions, seek external evaluations, and promote critical thinking within the group.
Groupthink is likely to occur in groups that are:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option 3: Isolated from outsiders and cohesive
Groupthink is most likely to occur in groups that are:
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Highly cohesive — members strongly value harmony and unity.
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Isolated from outsiders — limiting exposure to alternative perspectives and critical feedback.
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Often led by directive leaders and lacking in open debate.
In such settings, the desire to maintain group agreement overrides critical thinking, and dissent is discouraged, leading to flawed decision-making.