Collective rationalization refers to?

• A. Unethical decision making
• B. Groupthink
• C. Collective rationalization
• D. Escalation of commitment

Answer: (C)

Collective rationalization is a mechanism in group decision making where the group jointly explains away risks and dissent to defend a chosen course of action. By downplaying warning signs and discounting disconfirming information, the group preserves harmony and maintains the illusion that their path is sound, even when there are significant doubts.

This is a specific behavior within the broader phenomenon of groupthink, which describes how the desire for consensus can suppress critical thinking. It’s not simply about unethical decisions by individuals, though it can lead to unethical outcomes; it’s about the group collectively justifying its choice. It’s different from escalation of commitment, which involves persisting with a failing course due to sunk costs rather than justifying it against new evidence.