Final answer:
The Consensual Decision Making Style is a democratic process where family members collectively discuss, compromise, and agree on decisions, aimed at reaching a consensus that everyone finds acceptable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Consensual Decision Making Style refers to a process where family members make decisions together and reach a consensus. This style embodies a democratic approach to decision-making within a family unit, involving discussion, compromise, and eventual agreement among all members. It contrasts with other methods where one person makes all the decisions, family members make decisions individually, or decisions are made based on external expert advice. Consensus seeks to minimize conformity costs by considering the inputs and perspectives of all involved, thereby promoting a joint resolution that is agreeable to everyone. However, reaching a consensus can be time-consuming and faces the risk of slowing down the decision process due to the need for extensive discussion and negotiation to achieve unanimous agreement.