Which term describes the tendency for individuals in a group to go along with the consensus?

The tendency for individuals in a group to go along with the consensus is best described by the term "groupthink." This phenomenon occurs when the desire for harmony or conformity within a group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. In groupthink, members may suppress dissenting viewpoints, fail to critically analyze alternatives, and prioritize consensus over the quality of the decision. This often leads to suboptimal outcomes as individuals prioritize group cohesion over independent thought.

While conformity refers to the alignment of individual behaviors or beliefs with those of a group, groupthink specifically emphasizes the decision-making process and the potential pitfalls associated with prioritizing group harmony over critical evaluation. Social facilitation, on the other hand, pertains to the improvement of performance in the presence of others, and diffusion of responsibility describes how individuals may feel less accountable for their actions when part of a group. Thus, "groupthink" encapsulates the dynamics of consensus-driven decision-making in a group setting.