Groupthink is characterized by which of the following tendencies?

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people when the desire for harmony and conformity results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. When individuals prioritize consensus above all else, they often suppress dissenting viewpoints and ignore alternatives. This leads to a deterioration in the group’s critical evaluative capabilities, as members may refrain from expressing their true opinions or concerns for fear of disrupting the group's cohesion.

The tendency to lose critical evaluative capabilities is a hallmark of groupthink. This phenomenon can result in poor decision-making, as the absence of critical dialogue and the lack of rigorous analysis weaken the group’s overall evaluation of the available information and choices. Consequently, members may overlook potential problems and risks, believing that their collective opinion is infallible, which can lead to suboptimal outcomes and failure to examine all feasible options.

In contrast, the encouragement of diverse viewpoints, critical evaluative capabilities, and independent decision-making align with practices meant to counteract groupthink. These elements promote a more robust decision-making process by ensuring that all perspectives are heard, analyzed, and debated, thus avoiding the pitfalls associated with a lack of critical scrutiny.