Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

In which type of teams is groupthink most likely to occur?

1. Diverse in membership

2. High performing

3. Highly cohesive

4. Large in size

The correct answer is: Highly cohesive

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when the desire for harmony and conformity within a group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making. It is most likely to happen in highly cohesive teams because members are tightly bonded, prioritize consensus, and often suppress dissenting viewpoints to maintain group unity. This strong sense of belonging can lead to a lack of critical evaluation of ideas, as individuals may fear conflict or negative repercussions for challenging the group’s prevailing opinions. In highly cohesive teams, the pressure to conform can overshadow the careful consideration of alternatives, leading to potentially poor decisions. This scenario stands in contrast to diverse teams, where differing perspectives may encourage open dialogue and prevent the stagnation of thought associated with groupthink. Similarly, high-performing teams often cultivate an environment of trust and constructive criticism, which helps mitigate the risk of groupthink. In large teams, while cohesion can play a role, the dynamics become more complex due to a multitude of voices, which may reduce the uniformity observed in smaller, cohesive groups. Therefore, it is in highly cohesive teams where groupthink is most pronounced due to their strong emphasis on consensus and belonging.