Team Decision Making

Question 1

Benefits of Consensus Approach

Answer 1

Avoid changing mind to get job done or engage in conflict reducing procedures
Seek out differences in opinion
Do not assume winner/loser
Discuss underlying assumptions

Question 2

Types of Problems Teams do Better on

Answer 2

Non-Abstract Problems Demonstrable Problems

Question 3

Groupthink

Answer 3

Occurs when group members prioritize consensus above everything else, including good judgement

Question 4

Causes of Groupthink

Answer 4

Overestimation of group
Close-mindedness
Pressures toward uniformity

Question 5

To Prevent Groupthink

Answer 5

Monitor Team Size
Provide Face-Saving Mechanism 
Risk Technique
Invite Different Perspectives 
Appoint Devil's Advocate

Question 6

Decision-Making Pitfalls

Answer 6

Escalation of Commitment
Groupthink
Abilene Paradox

Question 7

Escalation of Commitment

Answer 7

Persistence in a losing course of action in spite of evidence to the contrary

Question 8

Groupthink Symptoms

Answer 8

Incomplete survey of alternatives & objectives
Failure to reexamine alternatives and preferred choices
Selection Bias
Poor Information Search
Failure to create contingency plans

Question 9

Escalation of Commitment Symptoms

Answer 9

Sunk Costs
Continues when outsider with no investment would advise another course of action
Occurs in high commitment teams with high self-esteem

Question 10

Escalation of Commitment Prevention

Answer 10

Set limits and performance standards
Avoid tunnel vision
Recognize sunk costs
External review 
Avoid bad mood

Question 11

Abilene Paradox

Answer 11

Attempt to reach consensus and avoid conflict through self-limiting behaviors, like agreeing because you think another team member wants something

Question 12

Abilene Paradox Causes

Answer 12

Intimidated Team Members
Belief that efforts won’t be worthwhile
Leads to self-limiting behavior

Question 13

Self-limiting behavior examples

Answer 13

Being in presence of expert and shirking
Presentation of coherent argument 
Lack of confidence in ability to contribute 
When decision isn't vital, can happen
Pressure to conform
Dysfunctional Team

Question 14

To avoid Abilene Paradox

Answer 14

Confront issue head on in team settings
Conduct private vote
Minimize status differences
Frame decision as “fact based decision making” instead of judgement

Question 15

Overconfidence Bias

Answer 15

Tendency for people to place unwarranted confidence in their judgements

Question 16

Confirmation Bias

Answer 16

Tendency for people to consider evidence that supports their position, hypothesis, or desires and disregard or discount equally valid evidence that refutes their beliefs