What term describes a psychological phenomenon where group members conform to a common viewpoint?

The term that accurately describes the psychological phenomenon in which group members conform to a common viewpoint is "Groupthink." This concept refers to a situation where the desire for harmony and conformity within a group leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcomes. When groupthink occurs, individuals suppress their dissenting opinions, fail to critically analyze alternatives, and prioritize consensus over the quality of the decision-making process.

This often results in a lack of creativity and a failure to consider all possible options or consequences, as the group's cohesiveness becomes more important than the evaluation of facts or new ideas. Understanding groupthink is crucial in both marketing and organizational contexts because it can severely hinder innovation and problem-solving by limiting the diversity of perspectives and viewpoints.

The other terms, while relevant in collaborative settings, do not describe this specific phenomenon of conformity. For example, brainstorming involves generating a variety of ideas and solutions without immediate judgment, while consensus building seeks agreement among group members but does not inherently lead to the negative effects of conforming viewpoints. Conflict resolution pertains to addressing and resolving disagreements within a group, which is quite the opposite of the conformity described in groupthink.