Week 2 - 4.4 Decision Making in Groups

Question 1

Individual Decision Making (pros)

Answer 1

typically faster than group decision making, best individual in a group usually outperforms the group, and accountability is easier to determine.

Question 2

Individual Decision Making (cons)

Answer 2

fewer ideas, identifying the best individual can be challenging, and possible to put off making decisions if left alone to do it.

Question 3

Group Decision Making (pros)

Answer 3

diversity of ideas and can piggyback on others’ ideas, and interaction can be fun and serves as a team building task.

Question 4

Group Decision Making (cons)

Answer 4

takes longer, group dynamics such as groupthink can occur, and social loafing-harder to identify responsibility for decisions.

Question 5

Groupthink

Answer 5

Is a group pressure phenomenon that increases the risk of the group making flawed decisions by leading to reduced mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgment.

Question 6

Groupthink 2

Answer 6

1. Illusion of invulnerability
2. Collective rationalization
3. An unquestioned belief in the group’s 4.inherent morality
   5.Stereotyped views of out-groups
   6.Direct pressure
   Self-censorship
   7.Illusions of unanimity
4. The emergence of self-appointed mindguards

Question 7

Tools and Techniques for Making Better Decisions

Answer 7

• Nominal group technique
• Delphi technique
• Majority rule
• Consensus
• GDSS
• Decisions trees