#9: Decision making in teams

Question 1

6 ways a team makes a decision

Answer 1

1. Lack of response
2. Authority rule
3. Minority rule
4. Majority
5. Consensus
6. Unanimity

Question 2

Lack of response

Answer 2

• One idea is suggested after another without any discussion
• Idea is picked due to lack of response

Question 3

Authority rule

Answer 3

Leader makes decision for team

Question 4

Minority rule

Answer 4

2-3 people who dominate and force the team into making a mutual decision

Question 5

Majority

Answer 5

Formal voting

Question 6

Consensus

Answer 6

Select one alternative that is best and the other group members agree to support it

Question 7

Unanimity

Answer 7

Everyone agrees

Question 8

Advantages of team decision making

Answer 8

• Greater amounts of info
• Expands number of action alternatives considered
• Increases understanding and acceptance
• Increases commitment to follow through

Question 9

Disadvantges of team decision making

Answer 9

• Social pressure to conform
• Individual or minority group domination
• Time requirements

Question 10

Groupthink (negative)

Answer 10

• The tendency of highly cohesive team to lose their evaluative capabilities
• You may feel strongly about your group and may publicly agree with something that you would otherwise disagree with
• Strong loyalty to a group can cause one to not criticize so they don’t “rock the boat”

Question 11

Symptoms of groupthink

Answer 11

• Illusions of group vulnerability
• Rationalizing unpleasant and disconfirming data
• Negative stereotypes of competitors
• Pressure to conform
• Self-censorship of members
• Illusions of unanimity
• Mind guarding