APA Dictionary of Psychology

a structured technique of group problem solving that aims to improve the quality of group decisions by reducing the pressures on group members to conform. Individuals first state their ideas privately and anonymously, and these ideas are posted for discussion and clarification. The group votes anonymously on the ideas and then goes through another round of discussion and clarification, followed by another round of voting. The intent is to reach a consensus on the relative merits of the ideas generated by the group.