Groupthink refers to the practice of thinking or making decisions as a group, resulting in a consensus or agreement without critical evaluation or consideration of alternative viewpoints. It often occurs when group members are highly cohesive and have a strong desire for conformity. Avoiding groupthink is crucial for fostering innovation, creativity, and critical thinking within teams and organizations.
The importance of avoiding groupthink lies in its potential to lead to flawed decision-making, suppression of dissent, and a lack of creativity. Historically, there have been numerous examples of groupthink leading to disastrous outcomes, such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion during the Kennedy administration.