What is "groupthink" known for causing in decision-making?

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within cohesive groups, where the desire for harmony and conformity leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcomes. In this context, the strong desire for agreement can overshadow critical thinking and individual viewpoints, ultimately resulting in a faulty decision-making process. Members may suppress dissenting opinions, neglect to consider alternative ideas, and fail to evaluate different courses of action thoroughly. This often leads to poorer decisions than might have been reached through a more open and collaborative approach.

In contrast, the other options present positive aspects that groupthink is less likely to promote. Effective solutions and unique perspectives typically arise when diverse opinions and healthy debates are encouraged, whereas robust discussions facilitate an exploration of different ideas rather than limiting them in favor of consensus. Thus, the hallmark of groupthink lies in its tendency to value conformity over critical evaluation, fundamentally altering how decisions are made within the group.