Full Answer Section

There are a number of critical factors that are believed to lead to groupthink. These factors include:

• Cohesiveness: A cohesive group is one that is tightly bonded and has a strong sense of unity. This can make it difficult for dissenting opinions to be heard, as the group may be more concerned with maintaining harmony than with making the best decision.
• Leadership: Autocratic or directive leaders can contribute to groupthink by creating an atmosphere where dissent is not tolerated.
• Stress: Groups that are under stress are more likely to experience groupthink. This is because the stress can lead to people becoming more compliant and less likely to question the group’s decisions.
• Lack of information: Groups that do not have access to all of the information they need are more likely to experience groupthink. This is because the group may be more likely to make assumptions and rely on stereotypes, rather than considering all of the available evidence.

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce groupthink. These include:

• Encouraging dissent: Groups should be encouraged to voice dissenting opinions. This can be done by creating an atmosphere where dissent is welcome and by ensuring that all members of the group feel comfortable speaking up.
• Diversifying the group: Groups should be as diverse as possible. This can help to prevent groupthink by ensuring that the group has a variety of perspectives and experiences.
• Having a clear decision-making process: Groups should have a clear decision-making process that outlines how decisions will be made. This can help to prevent groupthink by ensuring that all members of the group are aware of the process and that their voices are heard.
• Ensuring that all members of the group have access to information: All members of the group should have access to all of the information that is relevant to the decision-making process. This can help to prevent groupthink by ensuring that all members of the group are making informed decisions.

By taking these steps, groups can reduce the risk of experiencing groupthink and make better decisions.