Final answer:
A consensus is a decision or idea agreed upon by a group. The process of reaching a consensus can be influenced by factors like compromise, voting rules, and groupthink. Democratic processes are often used to reach a group decision, despite differences among members.
Step-by-step explanation:
A decision made or an idea agreed upon by a group is commonly referred to as a consensus. In collective decision-making, group members may have differing opinions and interests, which can make reaching a decision challenging. Compromise, voting rules, and the potential for groupthink are factors that significantly influence the group's final decision.
When a group is faced with a decision and the members modify their opinions to align with what they believe is the group's consensus, groupthink has occurred. Despite the various interests and opinions within a group, nonviolent, democratic processes such as voting, whether by plurality, supermajority, or unanimity, are used to resolve differences and reach a decision that works towards the group's goals.
It is important to consider that these democratic processes are affected by several factors, such as the quorum required for decision-making, the transaction costs associated with the process, and the potential for status quo bias when making collective decisions.