In the context of group decision making, which phenomenon describes the tendency for group members to prioritize harmony and consensus over critical evaluation of alternatives?

• A. Cognitive dissonance
• B. Social facilitation
• C. Deindividuation
• D. Groupthink

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the problem, which is group decision making and the behavior of group members during this process.
2. Step 2: Review the definitions of the given terms: Cognitive dissonance (internal conflict from holding contradictory beliefs), Social facilitation (improved performance in the presence of others), and Deindividuation (loss of self-awareness in groups).
3. Step 3: Recognize that the question asks for the phenomenon where group members prioritize harmony and consensus over critical evaluation, which involves suppressing dissent to maintain group cohesion.
4. Step 4: Identify that this description matches the concept of Groupthink, a psychological phenomenon where the desire for unanimity overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives.
5. Step 5: Conclude that Groupthink is the correct answer because it specifically refers to the tendency in groups to avoid conflict and critical thinking to preserve harmony.