How might group cohesiveness impact individual dissent or agreement?

Group cohesiveness can suppress individual dissent and promote agreement due to the desire for harmony and acceptance within the group.

Group cohesiveness refers to the extent to which members of a group feel connected to each other and identify with the group. This sense of belonging and unity can have a significant impact on individual behaviour, particularly in terms of dissent or agreement. When a group is highly cohesive, its members are more likely to conform to group norms and expectations, which can suppress individual dissent. This is because dissenting opinions can disrupt the harmony of the group and potentially lead to conflict or exclusion. Therefore, individuals may choose to suppress their own dissenting views in order to maintain their position within the group and avoid any negative consequences.

Moreover, group cohesiveness can also promote agreement among its members. This is due to the phenomenon known as groupthink, where the desire for group consensus overrides people's ability to critically evaluate alternative viewpoints. In a cohesive group, members may feel a strong pressure to agree with the group's decisions, even if they have personal reservations. This can lead to a lack of critical thinking and a tendency to overlook potential problems or risks associated with the group's decisions.

However, it's important to note that while group cohesiveness can suppress dissent and promote agreement, it doesn't necessarily lead to better decision-making. In fact, the lack of dissent and critical evaluation can result in poor decision-making and groupthink. Therefore, while group cohesiveness can foster a sense of belonging and unity, it's crucial for groups to also encourage diversity of thought and open discussion to avoid the pitfalls of groupthink.

In conclusion, group cohesiveness can have a significant impact on individual dissent or agreement. It can suppress dissent due to the desire for harmony and acceptance, and promote agreement due to the pressure to conform to group norms and expectations. However, this can also lead to groupthink and poor decision-making, highlighting the importance of encouraging diversity of thought and open discussion within groups.