Which symptom describes a group's overconfidence in its decisions, not considering risks?

Which symptom describes a group's overconfidence in its decisions, not considering risks?

• A. Mindguards
• B. Self-censorship
• C. Illusion of invulnerability
• D. Stereotyping outsiders

Answer: (C)

In this idea, groups can develop an illusion of invulnerability, where members believe the group is invincible and cannot be wrong. That mindset pushes the team to take bold risks and neglect warnings or potential downsides because they assume success is guaranteed. This overconfidence shapes decisions in ways that downplay or ignore real risks, leading to poor judgments. Other groupthink symptoms—like mindguards who shield the group from dissent, self-censorship when members withhold doubts, and stereotyping of outsiders who might challenge the plan—fit the overall pattern but don’t capture the specific attitude of thinking the group cannot be wrong and thus bypassing risk evaluation.

In this idea, groups can develop an illusion of invulnerability, where members believe the group is invincible and cannot be wrong. That mindset pushes the team to take bold risks and neglect warnings or potential downsides because they assume success is guaranteed. This overconfidence shapes decisions in ways that downplay or ignore real risks, leading to poor judgments. Other groupthink symptoms—like mindguards who shield the group from dissent, self-censorship when members withhold doubts, and stereotyping of outsiders who might challenge the plan—fit the overall pattern but don’t capture the specific attitude of thinking the group cannot be wrong and thus bypassing risk evaluation.