What is a potential downside of groupthink in decision-making?

The potential downside of groupthink lies in the tendency for a group to prioritize consensus and harmony over critical thinking and individual opinions. When members of a group seek to maintain cohesion, they may suppress dissenting viewpoints and overlook potential flaws in their reasoning. This leads to faulty and unchallenged decisions, as alternatives and diverse perspectives are not fully considered. In essence, while groupthink can create a false sense of security and unity, it ultimately undermines the quality of decision-making, leading to outcomes that may not be well thought out or effective. This phenomenon emphasizes the importance of encouraging open dialogue and critical evaluation in group settings to avoid pitfalls related to decision-making.