Groupthink
Groupthink occurs when pressure for agreement or cohesion weakens a group’s critical evaluation of its decisions. Members may suppress doubts, assume unanimity or dismiss contrary evidence. It can result in inadequate consideration of alternatives and risks. Encouraging independent views, constructive challenge and scrutiny of assumptions can reduce the problem; disagreement should be assessed on its merits rather than treated automatically as disloyalty.
Worked example
A project committee privately has doubts about a supplier, but every member assumes the others support it. The chair asks each member to state concerns before discussing the preferred option, revealing information that had been suppressed.
Common mistake
Agreement alone is not proof of groupthink. The concern is an impaired evaluation process, not the mere fact that people reach the same conclusion.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | BT | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| ACCA | SBL | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| FIA | FBT | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |