Final answer:
Groupthink occurs when a group prioritizes harmony over critical thinking and decision-making. It can be avoided by seeking diverse opinions and conducting thorough research. An example of groupthink is the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Groupthink occurs when a group values maintaining harmony and agreement over critical thinking and sound decision-making. There are several causes of groupthink, including a highly cohesive group, a directive leader who discourages dissent, and isolation from alternative viewpoints. Groupthink can be avoided by seeking outside opinions, voting in private, withholding position statements from the leader until all group members have voiced their views, conducting research on all viewpoints, and developing contingency plans.
One example of groupthink is the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, where President John F. Kennedy's advisers failed to consider alternative viewpoints and underestimated the risks, leading to a disastrous outcome.