Asked by Nakhel Ishtiaq on Jun 23, 2024
Verified
The tragic decision to launch the space shuttle Challenger resulted in part from the minimal expression of dissenting views among NASA personnel and advisors.This best illustrates the dangers of
A) social facilitation.
B) deindividuation.
C) groupthink.
D) social control.
Groupthink
A phenomenon that occurs within a group of people, in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome.
Space Shuttle Challenger
A NASA space shuttle that tragically broke apart shortly after its launch in 1986, leading to the deaths of all seven crew members and prompting major changes in the space agency's operations.
NASA
The United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research.
- Identify and explain the phenomenon of groupthink and its potential negative outcomes.
Verified Answer
AP
Andre' PattersonJun 28, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Groupthink is the tendency for highly cohesive groups to reach decisions without accurately assessing the consequences of those decisions. In the case of the Challenger disaster, NASA employees and advisors failed to express dissenting views and allowed the launch to proceed despite safety concerns. This is a classic example of groupthink.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and explain the phenomenon of groupthink and its potential negative outcomes.