Which term describes the practice wherein group members dominate discussions, hindering dissent?

• A. Groupthink
• B. Satisficing
• C. Goal Displacement
• D. Dominance by a Few Members

Answer: (D)

Groupthink is the pattern where the push for harmony and consensus within a group leads members to suppress dissenting opinions, avoid challenging the prevailing view, and push forward a single course of action as if it were beyond question. In such settings, people may overlook flaws, discount warnings, or fail to consider alternative options because disagreement feels risky or uncomfortable. This quiet pressure to conform often creates an illusion of agreement and can result in poorer decisions since the group isn’t weighing all evidence or viewpoints.

Satisficing refers to settling for a satisfactory solution rather than the best possible one, which is about a decision threshold rather than group dynamics. Goal displacement happens when a group or organization shifts focus to new goals that overshadow the original mission, not specifically about dampening dissent in discussion. Dominance by a few members describes an uneven distribution of influence, which can contribute to groupthink but is not the formal term for the phenomenon itself. The described practice is best captured by groupthink.