Groups & Teams II

Question 1

common knowledge effect- influence

Answer 1

• information that is shared by members has more influence on team decision making
  – occurs regardless of the validity of the information

Question 2

Common information effect- discussion

Answer 2

is discussed for longer periods of time
– unique info is not given enough time

Question 3

overcoming common knowledge

Answer 3

• best practices for team decision making
• put all information on table before people vote or give initial preferences
• steer conversation to unique information
• put focus on making decision that is best for team and not on having your choice “win”

Question 4

cohesion

Answer 4

• the degree of camaraderie within the team; social glue or shared bond.

Question 5

factors that predict cohesion

Answer 5

• similarity
• time: the longer a group stays together, the more cohesive it tends to be
• size: smaller groups tend to have higher levels of cohesion

Question 6

Benefits of cohesion

Answer 6

• higher levels of productivity
• members are generally more satisfied and more invested
• members support one another and more likely to preserve through challenging situations

Question 7

If too much cohesion (belonging overly valued)

Answer 7

• if belonging is valued over all else, people will modify their behaviors to keep in line with the majority

Question 8

Groupthink

Answer 8

avoid critical evaluation of ideas the group favors

Question 9

groupthink fear

Answer 9

even if disagree, people fear they will become marginalized for daring to disagree with group.

Question 10

overcoming group think

Answer 10

• actively seek disconfirming evidence
• assign a devil’s advocate
• bring a neutral, third party
• create psychological safety

Question 11

Psychological safety

Answer 11

• belief held by team members on whether it’s okay to take risk
• “can I express my ideas? Can I ask questions? Can I admit mistakes without fear of negative consequences?

Question 12

teams without psychological safety

Answer 12

consistently underperform
- It is leader’s job to encourage different opinions and explain why everyone’s voice matters

Question 13

Social Loafing

Answer 13

• people put in less effort when working in a group context

Question 14

social loafing in big group

Answer 14

as the number of group members increase, the effort of each member typically decreases.
- diffusion of responsibility as group gets a larger as it is easier to deflect blame if group fails
- no one will notice anyway

Question 15

overcoming social loafing

Answer 15

• limit number of individuals needed
• task identity: peer evaluations of individual’s contribution
• Task significance: loafing is less likely when members believe what they are doing is highly important

Question 16

key takeaway’s

Answer 16

• teams generally perform better than individuals on tasks, but they are natural team dynamics that have to be managed
• common knowledge effect, groupthink, social loafing

Question 17

Groupthink occurs

Answer 17

• groupthink occurs more frequently in highly cohesive groups

Question 18

Groupthink result

Answer 18

• can lead to reduction in moral judgement

Question 19

Groupthink fear results

Answer 19

• people accordingly censor their thoughts to go along with group
• increased social pressure to fit in with group creates illusion of unanimity