Which is a disadvantage of group decision making?

• A. Groupthink
• B. Consensus
• C. Increased Efficiency
• D. Individualism

Answer: (A)

A key pitfall of group decision making is groupthink: the push for harmony and consensus can cause members to withhold doubts, discourage dissent, and fail to evaluate alternatives thoroughly. When critical scrutiny is sacrificed for agreement, the group may make poor or risky decisions, especially under time pressure or when a dominant leader influences the process. This is what makes groupthink a disadvantage. Consensus, while often positive, can still be reached without the same danger if critical discussion is encouraged; increased efficiency is more about the speed and coordination benefits of teamwork; and individualism emphasizes independent judgment, which can conflict with collaborative decision making and isn’t inherently a disadvantage of groups.