Business Degree Certification Practice Test

What term describes the pressure group members may face to conform during decision making?

1. Group consensus

2. Brainstorming

3. Groupthink

4. Team dynamics

The correct answer is: Groupthink

The pressure that group members may face to conform during decision making is best described by the term "groupthink." This phenomenon occurs when the desire for harmony or conformity in a group leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcomes. When groupthink takes hold, individuals may suppress their own opinions and dissenting viewpoints in favor of what they believe is the consensus of the group. This can result in poor decisions, as critical thinking and problem-solving are overlooked in favor of maintaining agreement. Groupthink is characterized by several symptoms, including the illusion of invulnerability, collective rationalization, lack of introspection, and the disregard for the opinions of outsiders. This can ultimately lead to unchallenged assumptions and the failure to consider alternative strategies or perspectives. In contrast, group consensus refers to an agreement reached by all members but does not inherently involve the pressure to conform. Brainstorming is a method for generating ideas where no idea is immediately judged and encourages open expression. Team dynamics encompass the behaviors and psychological relationships that impact how a team functions but does not specifically address the conformity pressure characteristic of groupthink. Thus, groupthink is the correct term to describe the specific issue of conformity pressure in decision-making contexts.