Q
QuestionPsychology

Which statement about groupthink is correct? A. Group members modify their opinion to go against what they believe is the group consensus. B. Group members modify their opinions to match what they believe is the group consensus. C. Group members will never agree if there is a minority influence present. D. Group members will use brainstorming to discover the solution that most group members agree on.
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Answer

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Step 1:
I'll solve this problem step by step, focusing on the concept of groupthink.

Step 2:
: Understanding Groupthink

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a group of people where the desire for harmony or conformity results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome.

Step 3:
: Analyzing the Key Characteristics of Groupthink

The core characteristic of groupthink is that group members tend to modify their opinions to align with what they perceive as the group's consensus, rather than expressing their true individual beliefs.

Step 4:
: Evaluating the Options

Let's carefully examine each option: - Option A suggests members go against the consensus (incorrect) - Option B suggests members modify opinions to match the perceived consensus (correct) - Option C implies groups cannot agree with minority influence (incorrect) - Option D describes brainstorming, which is not the definition of groupthink (incorrect)

Step 5:
: Identifying the Correct Answer

Option B accurately describes the fundamental principle of groupthink: group members modify their opinions to match what they believe is the group consensus.

Final Answer

Group members modify their opinions to match what they believe is the group consensus. Key Insight: Groupthink occurs when individuals suppress their own thoughts and critical reasoning to maintain group harmony, often leading to poor decision-making due to a lack of diverse perspectives and critical evaluation.