Chapter 12: decision-making Flashcards
What four operations do groups tend to perform as they deal with decisions, according to the ODDI process model?
-Orientation: The group clarify their goals, procedures (how to reach the goal), and develop a shared mental model
-Discussion: Members process information collectively by retrieving information from memory, exchanging information and detecting errors
-Decision: The group relies on an implicit or explicit social decision scheme to make a decision
-Implementation: In this stage, the group carries out the decisions and assesses its impact.
According to the ODDI process model, groups use “social decision schemes” when they are to make decisions. What are the four decision schemes?
-Averaging
-Voting
-Reaching consensus
-Delegating
Groups are prone to confirmation bias, what does that mean?
That they are more likely to seek confirming information and avoid disconfirming information.
Explain: the common knowledge effect (shared information bias)
The tendency in groups to spend more time discussing information two or more people have in common to know, than to discuss unshared information.
There are many biases that can occur when in a group. Name three ways to avoid these biases.
-Enhanced discussion methods
-Leadership interventions
-The use of Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS)(systems that help groups avoid biases and promote communication)
Why do groups make riskier decisions than individuals?
-The risky-shift effect: group discussions generate a shift in the direction of a more risky alternative
-Group polarization: a shift in the direction of greater extremity in individuals’ responses (for example choices, judgments, expression of opinions) when in groups.
d: groupthink
When group members strive for solidarity and cohesiveness to such an extent that any questions or topics that could lead to disputes are avoided. This results in bad decisions and unthoughtful actions.
According to Janis’ Groupthink Theory, what are the symptoms of groupthink?
-Overestimation of the group: illusion of invulnerability and illusion of morality.
-Closed-mindedness: rationalizations, stereotypes about the outgroup.
-Pressures toward uniformity: self-censorship, the illusion of unanimity, direct pressure on dissenters, and self-appointed mindguards.
d: mindguard
A group member who shields the group from negative or controversial information by gatekeeping and suppressing dissent.
Explain: The Abilene paradox
Occurs when members of groups assume that they are the only ones disagreeing/agreeing on a subject, so they don’t speak up. This makes the decision making incorrect. The paradox also involves entrapment: when the group becomes too committed too quickly to a decision and continue to invest in it despite high sunk costs.
According to Janis’ theory of Groupthink, what are the three causes of groupthink?
-Cohesiveness
-Structural faults
-Provocative situational factors (including decisional stress)
Explain: Kruglanski’s group-centrism theory
Groups whose members have a high need for an unanimous decision and for a definite answer are more likely to make poorer decisions.
Explain: Baron’s Ubiquity model
Many groups display the negative decisional features identified by Janis, but these factors combined with a shared social identity, restrictive norms, and lack of confidence will trigger groupthink-like decisions.
