Which term describes the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives?

Which term describes the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives?

• A. Culture
• B. Groupthink
• C. Norm
• D. Social Facilitation

Answer: (B)

When a decision-making group prioritizes harmony and conformity over evaluating the options, dissent is often suppressed and critical judgment is muted. This pattern is called groupthink. It happens because the group wants to maintain cohesion, so members go along with a plan even if they privately doubt it, leading to a faulty conclusion because realistic alternatives aren’t seriously considered. Irving Janis coined the term to describe how such thinking can produce poor decisions, with common signs like ignoring warning signs, rationalizing risky choices, and pressuring anyone who questions the idea. Understanding this helps explain why groups sometimes settle on a less effective path just to avoid conflict. Culture refers to the broader system of shared beliefs and practices in a group, not the specific decision-making process described here. Norms are the expected behaviors within the group, which can influence whether people speak up, but they don’t by themselves define the thinking mode during a decision. Social facilitation is about how performance changes in the presence of others, not about the dress rehearsal of judging and choosing among alternatives.

When a decision-making group prioritizes harmony and conformity over evaluating the options, dissent is often suppressed and critical judgment is muted. This pattern is called groupthink. It happens because the group wants to maintain cohesion, so members go along with a plan even if they privately doubt it, leading to a faulty conclusion because realistic alternatives aren’t seriously considered. Irving Janis coined the term to describe how such thinking can produce poor decisions, with common signs like ignoring warning signs, rationalizing risky choices, and pressuring anyone who questions the idea. Understanding this helps explain why groups sometimes settle on a less effective path just to avoid conflict.

Culture refers to the broader system of shared beliefs and practices in a group, not the specific decision-making process described here. Norms are the expected behaviors within the group, which can influence whether people speak up, but they don’t by themselves define the thinking mode during a decision. Social facilitation is about how performance changes in the presence of others, not about the dress rehearsal of judging and choosing among alternatives.