Final answer:
Common results of groupthink include overconfidence, moral righteousness, self-censorship, and an illusion of unanimity, which can lead to poor decision-making. Encouraging open debate and avoiding directive leadership can help mitigate these outcomes and improve group decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
Common results of groupthink include a range of dysfunctional outcomes due to conformity and alignment to what is perceived as the group consensus. These outcomes can manifest as overconfidence in the group's decisions, moral righteousness, inhibition of dissent, and pressure to conform. Symptoms often include the perception of group invulnerability, a belief in the inherent morality of the group, self-censorship by members who suppress dissenting views, and an illusion of unanimity.
To address these results, strategies such as encouraging open debate, seeking external opinions, and adopting structured decision-making processes can be used. Particularly, avoiding directive leadership can prevent the suppression of alternative viewpoints and encourage individual members to contribute unique ideas, thereby preventing the loss of new ideas or the dismissal of disturbing but vital information. These approaches can help mitigate the negative consequences of groupthink and enhance group decision-making.