What outcome can groupthink lead to during decision-making in a group?

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs within a cohesive group where the desire for harmony and conformity leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making. When groupthink takes hold, members often suppress dissenting viewpoints to maintain a sense of unity and avoid conflict. This suppression can prevent critical evaluation of ideas and alternatives, ultimately leading to poor decision-making outcomes.

In situations characterized by groupthink, individuals may refrain from expressing their opinions or concerns out of fear of disrupting the group's cohesion or facing social repercussions. This results in a lack of diverse perspectives, which can be detrimental because alternative viewpoints are crucial for thorough analysis and consideration, thereby negatively affecting the overall quality of the group's decisions.

While groupthink may create an illusion of consensus and agreement within the group, it often comes at the expense of innovation and creativity, as the willingness to explore different ideas is compromised. Hence, the most significant outcome of groupthink during decision-making is indeed the suppression of dissenting viewpoints.