Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Groupthink may occur when:
A. Members feel they cannot fail.
B. Members' motivation is low.
C. Members do not express opinions that differ from their own group members.
D. Members stereotype their enemy as weak, stupid, or unreasonable.

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (1).

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a group of people strives for consensus and harmony in decision-making, often at the expense of critical thinking and dissenting opinions. This can lead to poor decisions because members prioritize group cohesion over individual opinions or external facts.
Groupthink may occur under the following conditions:

A: Members feel they cannot fail – Groupthink is more likely when group members believe that their decisions are always right or that failure is not an option. This creates a false sense of confidence and prevents questioning or alternative viewpoints.

C: Members do not express opinions that differ from their own group members – In groupthink, individuals often suppress dissenting opinions or choose not to voice concerns in order to maintain group harmony, which stifles creativity and leads to poor decision-making.

D: Members stereotype their enemy as weak, stupid, or unreasonable – Groupthink often involves viewing opposing viewpoints or out-groups in a negative light, leading to an overconfidence in the group's own decisions and disregarding external risks or alternative perspectives.
​
Information Booster

Group Polarization
1.1. Group polarization refers to the tendency for groups to make decisions that are more extreme than the initial individual opinions of group members. When people in a group discuss an issue, their viewpoints tend to become more extreme in the direction they already favored.
1.2. This occurs because members often reinforce each other's ideas during discussions, leading to stronger and more polarized opinions. For example, if a group starts with moderate opinions, after discussing the issue, the group's decision may become more risky or conservative depending on the nature of the discussion.
1.3. Group polarization can occur due to persuasive arguments (when individuals hear new arguments that strengthen their position) or social comparison (where people want to align with the group norm, resulting in more extreme positions).
1.4. It is a different phenomenon from groupthink, where the desire for unanimity or consensus overrides critical thinking. While groupthink leads to poor decisions, group polarization can lead to more extreme decisions, either positively or negatively.
1.5. Group polarization can be observed in various settings such as politics, jury decisions, and organizational decision-making, where group discussions push the group's opinion to become more radical or intense than any member might have initially suggested.