Groupthink can be best described as what?

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon that occurs in decision-making groups, where the desire for harmony and conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. When team members prioritize consensus and cohesion over the quality of the decision, they may neglect critical thinking and ignore alternative viewpoints.

Focusing on reaching any decision rather than the best one is a hallmark of groupthink. It leads to a situation where the group is more concerned with maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict than with thoroughly evaluating all possible options. This can result in poor decisions, as critical analysis is sidelined.

The other options relate to positive team dynamics or training strategies, which do not capture the essence of groupthink. Building synergy and orienting new members are beneficial practices that enhance group effectiveness, while training in decision-making is designed to improve group processes, not diminish them as groupthink does.