(Topic 11) Decision Making - Chapter 12

Question 1

Why make decisions in Groups?

Answer 1

The effectiveness of groups as decision makers

Question 2

Why Groups Might Be Ineffective?

Answer 2

Ø Over sample shared information
Ø Not everyone pulls their own weight –
sometimes work just done by a few
Ø Conversations/discussions are manipulated
Ø Groups may be more risky
Ø Cohesion and groupthink

Question 3

what are Intellective Tasks

Answer 3

right or wrong answer – e.g., math problems

Question 4

what are Judgmental Tasks

Answer 4

no correct answer – jury’s verdict

Question 5

what is the Functional Theory of Group Decision Making

Answer 5

Although no two groups reach decisions in the same way - skilled decision making groups are more likely use procedures that enhance the way they gather, analyze, and weight information

Question 6

what are the 5 Phases of Decision Making

Answer 6

• Orientation
• Discussion
• Decision
• Implementation
• Post-Mortem Discussion

Question 7

what is the Orientation phase of Decision Making

Answer 7

Group defines the problem

This phase involves gathering information about the situation, as well as identifying the goals and objectives that the decision is intended to achieve.

Question 8

what is the discussion phase of decision making

Answer 8

the group or individual begins to generate and evaluate possible solutions to the problem or opportunity at hand

remembering info
exchange info
processing info

Question 9

what is Collective Memory

Answer 9

a group’s combined memory (encode, store, retrieve)

Question 10

what is Cross-cueing

Answer 10

recall of memories improved through group members’ statements

Question 11

what is Transactive Memory

Answer 11

information is distributed to various members of the group

Question 12

what are Social Decision Schemes

Answer 12

strategy used to select a single alternative from various alternatives proposed by the group – they are explicit and implicit

Question 13

what is Delegation

Answer 13

an individual or subgroup within the group makes the decision for the group (oligarchy)

Question 14

what is Statistical Aggregation/Averaging

Answer 14

group members’ individual decision are averaged (MHS Example)

Question 15

what is Voting/Plurality Decisions

Answer 15

publicly or secret ballot – 50% rule is used primarily, however, sometimes more substantial percentages are needed for a decision to become final

Question 16

what is Consensus/Unanimous decision

Answer 16

(discussion to unanimity) – example Jury

Question 17

what is Random Choice/Decisions

Answer 17

final decision is left to chance

Question 18

what is the Vroom’s Normative Model of Decision Making:

Answer 18

theory of decision making that predicts the effectiveness of decisional procedures across a number of group settings

Question 19

what is Autocratic I & II (Decide) in Vroom’s Normative Model of Decision Making

Answer 19

leader solves the problem on his/her own with information available at the time or obtains information from group members and then decides

Question 20

what is Consultative I & II (Consult) in Vroom’s Normative Model of Decision Making:

Answer 20

leader either shares the problem with selected group members or the entire group

Question 21

what is Group (facilitate/delegate) in Vroom’s Normative Model of Decision Making:

Answer 21

the leader discusses the problem with the members of the group. Together the leader and members devise options for a solution.

Question 22

what are the 5 problems and pitfalls in Group planning

Answer 22

Planning to Fail
The Difficulty of Discussion
The Shared Information Bias
Cognitive Limitations
Dysfunctional Post-decision Processes

Question 23

describe the The Difficulty of Discussion in Group planning

Answer 23

Poor discussion skills
Meetings (death by…)
Wasted time (law of triviality)
Muddling through

Question 24

describe The Shared Information Bias in Group planning

Answer 24

Oversampling shared information leads to poorer decisions when a hidden profile would be revealed by considering the unshared information more closely

Question 25

what are the causes of Shared Information Bias

Answer 25

Informational influence
Normative influence
Emphasis on consensus vs. correctness
Initial preferences
Impression management goals

Question 26

how to Reduce the Shared Information Bias

Answer 26

Good leadership
Increasing diversity
Using a GDSS

Question 27

what are the 3 types of error in cognitive limitations

Answer 27

Sins of Commission
Sins of Omission
Sins of Imprecision

Question 28

what is the Sins of Commission

Answer 28

a sin resulting from an action performed.

Question 29

what is the Sins of Omission

Answer 29

failure by a person to take an action that one “ought to do”, and that is within ones power, and when attentively and willfully done, it is considered to be a sin.

Question 30

what is the Sins of Imprecision

Answer 30

Relying too heavily on heuristics that over-simplify complex decisions. This can include: Availability heuristic. Group members rely on information that is readily available.

Question 31

what does Dysfunctional Post- decision Processes involve

Answer 31

Denials of Responsibility
Abilene Paradox
Entrapment

Question 32

what are Post-Mortem Discussions

Answer 32

held at the end of a project. The goal is to look at the project from start to finish, to determine what went right and what can be improved.

Question 33

what is Group Polarization

Answer 33

the tendency to respond in a more extreme way when making a choice as part of a group, as opposed to when responding individually

Question 34

What is Groupthink?

Answer 34

a distorted style of thinking that renders group members incapable of making rational decisions.

Phenomenon wherein people seek unanimous agreement in spite of contrary facts pointing to another conclusion

Members try very hard to agree with one another that they make mistakes that could easily be avoided

Question 35

what are the symptoms of groupthink

Answer 35

Overestimation of the group (illusions of invulnerability, illusions of morality)

Close-mindedness (rationalizations, stereotypes about the outgroup)

Pressures toward uniformity (self-censorship, the illusion of unanimity, direct pressure on dissenters, self-appointed mindguards).

Defective decision-making processes

Question 36

what are the Causes of Groupthink

Answer 36

Cohesiveness
Cordial relationships § Lack of conflict
Structural Faults
Insulation § Control of the leader
Provocative Situational Context
How members deal with stress
§ Exaggerate the positive and minimize the
negative

Question 37

how can groupthink be prevented

Answer 37

Open style of leadership
Devil’s advocate, subgroup discussions
Limiting premature seeking of concurrence
Correcting misperceptions and biases
Using effective decision-making techniques