Which role does psychological safety play in teams?

• A. It discourages risk-taking.
• B. It supports open discussion and experimentation.
• C. It eliminates conflicts.
• D. It lowers performance expectations.

Answer: (B)

Psychological safety in teams means members feel safe to take interpersonal risks—to share ideas, ask questions, admit mistakes, and challenge the status quo without fear of ridicule or punishment. When this belief is present, open discussion and experimentation thrive because people can voice unconventional ideas and test them, learn from errors, and collaboratively improve. This environment supports learning and adaptability, which boosts performance. The other options don’t fit: discouraging risk-taking blocks learning; conflicts may occur but are addressed constructively rather than eliminated; and lowering performance expectations undermines motivation and standards.