Western Governors University (WGU) MGMT3000 C715 Organizational Behavior Practice Exam

Groupthink is characterized by a decision-making process that prioritizes consensus and harmony within a group over realistic appraisal of different viewpoints and options. When groupthink occurs, members may suppress dissenting opinions, fail to critically analyze ideas, or overlook alternatives. This tendency can lead to poor decision-making because the desire for unity can overshadow more objective evaluations.

In this context, option B accurately defines groupthink as it highlights the detrimental effect of seeking consensus at the expense of critical thinking and realism. In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of groupthink: focusing on individual contributions doesn't align with the collective mentality of groupthink, while promoting diverse opinions and conflict resolution methods are in direct opposition to the characteristics of groupthink as they encourage critical thinking and open discussion, which groupthink tends to inhibit.