Congressional Decision-Making and Cue-Taking

Questions and Answers

What is the risk of congressional decision-making?

Being uninformed but still voting can help. (correct)

Voting is unnecessary.

Winning favor or becoming a hidden danger. (correct)

Only informed votes matter.

How can one avoid risk in uninformed voting?

By using cue-taking.

What drives cue-taking?

Peer identification, common savvy, evaluation of others' judgment, presence of other members, and trust.

How are cues transmitted?

Through scoreboard, debates, letters, doorkeepers, and sociological groups. Signup and view all the answers

What are cue-givers attributes?

Friendship, trust, similar views, and reciprocity. Signup and view all the answers

How is information processed into cues?

Through diffusion of information via intermediaries. Signup and view all the answers

Why does it matter that decisions are made with cue-taking?

It leads to expert-dominated and interest-driven decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Risk of Congressional Decision-Making

Uninformed voting can be advantageous for gaining favor but may also result in unforeseen negative consequences.

Avoiding Risk in Uninformed Voting

Congress members often rely on cue-taking to navigate potential pitfalls, using guidance from peers for their voting decisions.

Drivers of Cue-Taking

Motivation for cue-taking includes identification with peers, shared knowledge, and trust in colleagues' judgment, especially during decision-making moments.

Transmission of Cues

Cues are shared through various channels such as scoreboards, debates, correspondence, direct inquiries on the floor, and involvement in socio-legislative groups.

Cue-Giver Attributes

Effective cue-givers often possess attributes like friendship, trust, shared ideologies, and a sense of reciprocity, enhancing the reliability of their cues.

Processing Information into Cues

Information is conveyed through individuals in key positions, serving as intermediaries between policy subgroups and Congressional votes.

Importance of Cue-Taking in Decision-Making

Cue-taking leads to decisions guided by experts, resulting in technically sound outcomes, albeit potentially skewed by the interests of constituents the experts serve.

Description

This quiz explores the dynamics of congressional decision-making, particularly focusing on uninformed voting and the reliance on cue-taking among members of Congress. Understand the motivation behind cue-taking, how cues are transmitted, and the attributes of effective cue-givers.