What term describes a situation where group members are unduly influenced by the opinions of others?

The term that describes a situation where group members are unduly influenced by the opinions of others is groupthink. Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony or conformity within a group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcomes. In this phenomenon, individual opinions are suppressed, dissent is minimized, and alternative viewpoints are rarely considered, leading to poor choices because of a lack of critical evaluation. Groupthink can be detrimental as it stifles innovation and can lead to the endorsement of flawed ideas simply because they are popular within the group.

Understanding this term is vital in marketing analysis and research methods because recognizing groupthink can help teams avoid pitfalls in collaborative decision-making, thereby improving the robustness and effectiveness of their marketing strategies.