Ch 11.6 Flashcards
What are the advantages of using groups?
Decision quality: Groups are better at spotting issues and generating ideas, leading to better decisions.
Decision acceptance and commitment: People involved in decisions are more likely to understand and commit to them.
Diffusion of responsibility: Groups can share the blame for poor decisions, reducing individual accountability.
When are groups more effective than individuals?
When members have different skills and knowledge.
When labor can be divided to help process information.
When expert opinions are weighted properly.
When can groups make poor decisions?
When group members share the same view without considering minority opinions.
What are the downsides of group decision making?
Time: Groups take longer than individuals to make decisions due to coordination and discussion.
Conflict: Personal interests or disagreements may slow decision making.
Domination: If one person dominates the group, it can lead to poor outcomes.
Groupthink: When everyone agrees to avoid conflict, even if the decision is flawed.
What causes groupthink?
High group cohesiveness, pressure for conformity, and isolation from outside opinions.
A dominant leader pushing for a particular decision.
Symptoms of groupthink include:
Illusion of invulnerability and morality.
Pressure to conform and self-censorship.
Members ignoring contrary information (mindguards).
How to prevent groupthink?
Leaders should avoid pressuring the group and encourage responsible dissent.
Bring in outside experts to challenge ideas.
How can controversy improve group decisions?
Appointing a devil’s advocate to challenge plans can help uncover weaknesses and improve the decision-making process.
Do groups make riskier or safer decisions than individuals?
Risky shift: Groups sometimes make riskier decisions due to diffusion of responsibility.
Conservative shift: Groups can also become more cautious after discussion.
What factors determine whether groups take more or less risk?
The initial risk preferences of the group members.
Group discussion exaggerates the initial tendency, leading to more extreme decisions.
