What does "groupthink" involve in a decision-making process?

"Groupthink" refers to a phenomenon in group decision-making where the desire for harmony and conformity among group members leads to irrational or dysfunctional outcomes. In situations where groupthink is present, individuals suppress dissenting viewpoints, fail to critically analyze alternatives, and prioritize consensus over logical reasoning. This undermines the quality of the decision-making process, as critical thinking is sacrificed for the sake of maintaining cohesiveness within the group.

The characteristic of seeking harmony can result in the group overlooking important evidence or alternatives, leading to potentially poor decisions. This is particularly detrimental in high-stakes situations where careful consideration of all possibilities is essential for effective problem-solving.

In contrast, the other options describe aspects that are not aligned with the concept of groupthink. For instance, a commitment to unconventional ideas and a focus on individual opinions would suggest diversity of thought, which counteracts the uniformity characteristic of groupthink. Similarly, a thorough process of debate and discussion typically promotes healthy decision-making by incorporating various perspectives, further contrasting the limitations imposed by groupthink.