Groupthink: Understanding the Dangers of Group Consensus

Question 1

Which of the following is a defining trait of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Striving for unanimous decisions

Answer

Fostering individual originality

Answer

Prioritizing critical analysis of ideas

Answer

Embracing challenges to established norms

Question 2

Which of the following is a typical symptom of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Illusion of unanimity

Answer

Designated leader

Answer

External competition

Answer

Diverse perspectives

Question 3

Which of the following is a key characteristic of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissenting opinions

Answer

Encouragement of individual creativity

Answer

Objective evaluation of alternatives

Answer

Open and transparent communication

Question 4

What is the primary reason why groupthink occurs?

Accepted Answer

Fear of excluding or being excluded from the group

Answer

Lack of information or resources

Answer

Overconfidence in the group's abilities

Answer

High levels of stress and urgency

Question 5

How does groupthink relate to the concept of social pressure?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a form of social pressure that can lead to conformity

Answer

Social pressure is unrelated to groupthink

Answer

Groupthink is the opposite of social pressure

Answer

Groupthink only occurs in highly cohesive groups where social pressure is low

Question 6

Which of the following is a characteristic of effective group decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Independent and critical thinking

Answer

Pressure to conform

Answer

Lack of critical evaluation

Answer

Illusion of unanimity

Question 7

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissenting opinions

Answer

Encouragement of critical thinking

Answer

Prioritization of individual goals

Answer

Open and inclusive communication

Question 8

What is a potential negative consequence of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Reduced creativity

Answer

Improved decision-making

Answer

Increased risk-taking

Answer

Enhanced communication

Question 9

How does critical thinking help mitigate groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Identifying and challenging assumptions

Answer

Suppressing personal biases

Answer

Promoting conformity to group norms

Answer

Avoiding conflict and maintaining harmony

Question 10

What is the key distinction between groupthink and brainstorming?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink focuses on consensus, while brainstorming emphasizes generating ideas

Answer

Brainstorming involves individual work, while groupthink occurs in groups

Answer

Groupthink values critical thinking, while brainstorming discourages it

Answer

Groupthink is beneficial for decision-making, while brainstorming is not

Question 11

What role does leadership play in preventing groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Leaders should promote open discussion and challenge assumptions

Answer

Leaders should suppress dissent and enforce conformity

Answer

Leaders should appoint only like-minded individuals to the group

Answer

Leaders have no influence on the likelihood of groupthink occurring

Question 12

How does diversity contribute to mitigating groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Diverse perspectives challenge assumptions and spark critical thinking

Answer

Diversity can lead to increased conflict and polarization

Answer

Diversity has no impact on the likelihood of groupthink occurring

Answer

Diversity can suppress minority opinions

Question 13

Identify the hallmark of groupthink:

Accepted Answer

Consensus-oriented decision-making

Answer

Emphasis on critical analysis

Answer

Open dialogue and objections

Answer

Individual responsibility

Question 14

What is a key negative consequence of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissenting opinions

Answer

Enhanced creativity

Answer

Improved decision quality

Answer

Polarization of viewpoints

Question 15

Which factor does NOT contribute to groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Independent thinking

Answer

Authoritative leadership

Answer

Strong group cohesion

Answer

External pressure

Question 16

Identify a situation where groupthink is less likely to occur:

Accepted Answer

A diverse group with varying perspectives

Answer

A highly cohesive team led by a dominant leader

Answer

A group facing time constraints to make a decision

Answer

A group with a shared objective

Question 17

Describe the ethical obligation of individuals in a group context:

Accepted Answer

Challenging unethical choices

Answer

Prioritizing group goals over personal beliefs

Answer

Conforming to group norms

Answer

Accepting majority decisions unquestioningly

Question 18

To prevent bias in groupthink research, what is crucial for researchers to do?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge and address their own potential biases.

Answer

Keep participant identities confidential.

Answer

Balance group sizes to avoid conformity or conflict.

Answer

Ensure participants represent the general population.

Question 19

Which symptom characterizes groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissenting opinions

Answer

Emphasis on divergent thinking

Answer

Open and transparent communication

Answer

Objectivity in decision-making

Question 20

Which outcome is NOT associated with groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced creativity

Answer

Suboptimal decision-making

Answer

Lowered group morale

Answer

Increased anxiety

Question 21

Who introduced the concept of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Irving Janis

Answer

Carl Jung

Answer

Sigmund Freud

Answer

Solomon Asch

Question 22

What is the significance of self-censorship in groupthink?

Accepted Answer

It leads individuals to suppress their own opinions.

Answer

It promotes diverse and open discussions.

Answer

It strengthens group unity and productivity.

Answer

It prevents the emergence of conflicts and disagreements.

Question 23

To prevent groupthink, which technique is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Encourage diverse viewpoints and perspectives

Answer

Assign a single leader to make all decisions

Answer

Set strict deadlines for group decisions

Answer

Avoid outside perspectives and influences

Question 24

Which of the following does NOT characterize successful group decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Suppressing or ignoring dissenting opinions

Answer

Valuing diverse perspectives and ideas

Answer

Fostering open and transparent communication

Answer

Establishing clear goals and objectives

Question 25

What is the primary objective of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Reaching a consensus, even at the expense of critical evaluation

Answer

Promoting group harmony and avoiding conflict

Answer

Making the most optimal and well-informed decision possible

Answer

Fostering individual creativity and dissenting opinions

Question 26

Which historical event exemplifies a decision made under the influence of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

The failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion

Answer

The implementation of the Marshall Plan

Answer

The moon landing

Answer

The abolition of slavery

Question 27

In groupthink, how do conformity and social pressure contribute to its formation?

Accepted Answer

They prioritize group cohesion over critical evaluation.

Answer

They promote diverse viewpoints and critical thinking.

Answer

They encourage open discussion and diverse viewpoints.

Answer

They have no significant impact on groupthink.

Question 28

In group decision-making, what's the ethical duty of individuals?

Accepted Answer

Prioritize diverse perspectives

Answer

Maintain group harmony

Answer

Conform to majority opinion

Question 29

Which of the following strategies can help reduce the negative effects of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Encourage open discussion

Accepted Answer

Assign a devil's advocate

Accepted Answer

Establish clear decision-making criteria

Answer

Limit the number of people in the group

Question 30

How can diversity help prevent groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges assumptions, and encourages open dialogue, reducing the risk of groupthink.

Answer

Diversity encourages conformity and suppresses dissenting opinions, leading to groupthink.

Question 31

Which of the following is a characteristic of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissenting opinions

Answer

Encouragement of debate and discussion

Answer

Objectivity and critical thinking

Answer

Emphasis on individual accountability

Question 32

Who first introduced the concept of "groupthink"?

Accepted Answer

Irving Janis

Answer

Henri Tajfel

Answer

Kurt Lewin

Answer

Serge Moscovici

Question 33

Which of the following factors can contribute to groupthink?

Accepted Answer

High group cohesion and external pressure

Answer

Diverse perspectives and open dissent

Answer

Low group size and clear goals

Answer

Emphasis on individual autonomy

Question 34

What is a potential negative consequence of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Poor decision-making and missed opportunities

Answer

Improved communication and coordination

Answer

Enhanced creativity and problem-solving

Answer

Increased diversity of thought

Question 35

Which of the following is an effective strategy to prevent groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Appointing a devil's advocate to challenge assumptions

Answer

Encouraging conformity and suppressing debate

Answer

Suppressing all dissenting voices

Question 36

Groupthink is most likely to occur when:

Accepted Answer

Cohesion is high, external pressure is strong, and dissent is discouraged

Answer

The group is small, the goal is clear, and the leader is directive

Answer

Diversity is high, consensus is difficult, and critical thinking is valued

Question 37

Which of the following is a characteristic of a group prone to groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Members prioritize maintaining harmony and avoid rocking the boat

Answer

Members are independent and non-conformist

Answer

Members actively challenge each other's ideas

Answer

Members feel equally empowered and respected

Question 38

What is a key reason why groupthink can be dangerous in decision-making situations?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to a limited consideration of alternatives and suppression of critical perspectives

Answer

It enhances individual creativity and risk-taking

Answer

It promotes open dialogue and consensus-building

Question 39

Which of the following personal factors can make an individual more vulnerable to groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Strong desire for social approval and conformity

Answer

High levels of self-confidence and independence

Answer

Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills

Question 40

What is a crucial element in overcoming groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging open expression of diverse viewpoints and challenging assumptions

Answer

Imposing strict adherence to group norms

Answer

Suppressing dissent and prioritizing harmony

Question 41

Which of the following is a symptom of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissenting opinions

Answer

Improved creativity

Answer

Enhanced problem-solving

Answer

Increased risk-taking

Question 42

What is the primary cause of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Excessive group cohesion

Answer

Lack of time

Answer

Cultural differences

Answer

Strong leadership

Question 43

Which of the following is a strategy for preventing groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Assign a devil's advocate

Answer

Limit meeting time

Answer

Encourage closed-minded thinking

Answer

Reduce group size

Question 44

What is the key element that differentiates groupthink from consensus-building?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissent

Answer

Group size

Answer

Level of consensus

Answer

Speed of decision-making

Question 45

Which of the following is a potential outcome of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Poor decision-making

Answer

Enhanced productivity

Answer

Increased innovation

Answer

Boosted morale

Question 46

What is the role of critical thinking in preventing groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Challenging assumptions and considering alternatives

Answer

Suppressing personal opinions

Answer

Accepting the majority view

Question 47

Which of the following factors contributes to the emergence of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

High group cohesiveness and external pressure

Answer

Strong leadership and a clear hierarchy

Answer

Diversity in group membership and open communication

Answer

Low group cohesiveness and lack of external pressure

Question 48

What is the main purpose of a devil's advocate?

Accepted Answer

To challenge the group's assumptions and biases

Answer

To silence dissenting opinions

Answer

To mediate conflicts within the group

Answer

To support the majority view

Question 49

Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective groupthink prevention strategy?

Accepted Answer

Encouraging open discussion and dissent

Answer

Promoting group conformity

Answer

Limiting group membership

Answer

Punishing individuals who disagree with the group