Lesson 9: Decision Making in Teams

Question 1

How to make decisions?

Answer 1

Lack of Response – One idea is suggested after another without any discussion. Idea is picked due to lack of response

Authority Rule – leader makes decision for team

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

Majority – Formal voting

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

Unanimity – Everyone agrees. “Logically perfect” but rarely occurs.

Question 2

Advantages of team decision making

Answer 2

• Greater amounts of information, knowledge, and expertise.
• Expands the number of action alternatives considered.
• Increases understanding and acceptance.
• Increases commitment to follow through.

Question 3

Disadvantages of team decision making

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is GROUP THINK?

Answer 4

• The tendency of highly cohesive teams 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 5

Symptoms of groupthink

Answer 5

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