SOCI 324: Group Decision Making

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the decision stage in group decision making?

To employ decision rules to arrive at a decision based on factual evidence and perceptions

What is the main function of the implementation stage?

To carry out or execute the decision made

What factor can influence the decision-making process?

The nature of the problem or issue being discussed

What can happen if a group has been deliberating too long on an issue?

The group may feel they have dwelt too long on the issue and need to make a decision quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of gathering information about the advantages and disadvantages of different options?

To inform the decision-making process Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that can affect the decision-making process?

The length of time the group has been deliberating Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a group feeling they have not deliberated long enough on an issue?

The group asks for more time to deliberate Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of the transition process?

To move through the stages of group decision making Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the imposition of a resolution by a group's leader?

Decision by Proclamation Signup and view all the answers

What is the process used to generate multiple ideas and alternatives for problem solving?

Brainstorming Signup and view all the answers

In which situation is arbitration often used?

Inter-group decision making Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between plurality-wins rule and majority-wins rule?

Plurality-wins requires a simple majority, while majority-wins requires a two-thirds majority Signup and view all the answers

What is the decision making technique developed by A.F. Osborn?

Brainstorming Signup and view all the answers

What is the decision making technique used when a family decides where to live?

Brainstorming Signup and view all the answers

What is the decision making technique used when a political party decides on a presidential candidate?

Majority-wins Rule Signup and view all the answers

What is the decision making technique used when parliament decides on a district chief executive?

Plurality-wins Rule Signup and view all the answers

What is group decision making?

The process by which groups move towards consensus and reach decisions Signup and view all the answers

Why are groups less likely to make mistakes?

Because of the give and take that occurs during deliberations Signup and view all the answers

Why do groups tend to be more conservative?

Because other group members act as checks against risky decisions Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of group decision making in some cases?

Deadlocks can arise, and group decisions can be 'hung' Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of group decision making?

To pool expertise and knowledge to arrive at good decisions Signup and view all the answers

Why are many decisions made by groups?

Because groups can act as checks against individual mistakes Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the process of group decision making?

Members hold a range of opinions and offer competing views Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of group decision making after some period of deliberation?

Some consensus is arrived at through deliberation Signup and view all the answers

What influences the decision made by a group?

The decision rule used by the group Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of social decision schemes?

To relate the initial distribution of member's views to the group's final decisions Signup and view all the answers

What is the unanimity rule in social decision schemes?

When all group members agree on the same position Signup and view all the answers

What is the plurality-wins rule in social decision schemes?

When the group opts for the position that has the most support Signup and view all the answers

What is the two-thirds majority rule in social decision schemes?

When a stance is favored by two-thirds of the group members Signup and view all the answers

What is the truth-wins rule in social decision schemes?

When the correct solution or view will ultimately predominate Signup and view all the answers

What is the 1st shift rule in social decision schemes?

When the group adopts a position consistent with the direction of the 1st shift in opinion Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of the two-thirds majority rule in social decision schemes?

Impeaching a president in Ghana Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of brainstorming?

To generate a large quantity of ideas without judgment Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to stay focused on the topic during brainstorming?

To keep the discussion on track and avoid distractions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using different colored markers during brainstorming?

To visualize and organize the different ideas generated Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between brainstorming and the nominal group technique?

Brainstorming generates ideas, while the nominal group technique evaluates ideas Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to encourage wild and creative ideas during brainstorming?

To increase the quantity of ideas generated Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of voting in the nominal group technique?

To evaluate ideas and select the best solution Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Group Decision Making

Group decision making refers to the processes by which groups move towards consensus and reach decisions.
It allows for the sharing of ideas and pooling of expertise, knowledge, and skills to arrive at good decisions.

Advantages of Group Decision Making

Groups are less likely to make mistakes because of the give and take that occurs during deliberations.
They are believed to be more conservative and less likely to take risky decisions.
Many decisions are made by more than one person (i.e., groups).

The Process of Group Decision Making

At the start of any group decision, members rarely agree totally on an issue.
They usually hold a range of opinions and offer competing news on how to proceed.
After some period of deliberation, some consensus (decision) is arrived at – through in some cases, deadlocks can arise.

Stages of Group Decision Making

DECISION STAGE: The group employs both implicit (informal) or explicit (formal) decision rules to arrive at a decision.
IMPLEMENTATION STAGE: The group evaluates the decision made and goes on to carry out or execute it.

The Transition Process

The movement or processes groups go through to arrive at decisions are complex and affected by various factors.
These factors include the kinds of problems/issues under deliberation, how long the group has been deliberating, and previous patterns of members' views.

Social decision schemes refer to rules relating the initial distribution of member’s views/preferences to the group’s final decisions.
Examples of social decision schemes include:
- UNANIMITY RULE: When all group members must agree on the same position between a decision is finalized.
- PLURALITY-WINS RULE: When the group opts for the position that has the most support.
- TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY RULE: When a group makes a decision when a stance is favored by two-thirds of its members.
- THE TRUTH-WINS RULE: It suggests that the correct solution or view will ultimately predominate or come to the fore as its correctness is recognized by a giving number of group members.
- THE 1ST SHIFT RULE: The group will adopt a position consistent with the direction of the 1st shift in opinion shown by any of its members.
- DECISION BY PROCLAMATION: The imposition of a resolution by a group’s leader.
- ARBITRATION: Agreement through a process of formal negotiation between parties unable to reach a decision.

Decision Making Techniques

Brainstorming is a concept developed by A.F.Osborn to increase creativity.
Basic principles for brainstorming include:
- Defer judgment
- Encourage creative and wild ideas
- Emphasize on a quantity of ideas and not on the quality of ideas
- Stay focused on the topic
- Encourage a conversation at a time
- Try to visualize the different ideas being generated
The nominal group technique is used not only to generate ideas like brainstorming but also to evaluate the ideas generated and select alternatives and or solutions.

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SOCI 324: Group Decision Making

Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the decision stage in group decision making?

What is the main function of the implementation stage?

What factor can influence the decision-making process?

What can happen if a group has been deliberating too long on an issue?

What is the purpose of gathering information about the advantages and disadvantages of different options?

What is a factor that can affect the decision-making process?

What is the result of a group feeling they have not deliberated long enough on an issue?

What is the goal of the transition process?

What is the term for the imposition of a resolution by a group's leader?

What is the process used to generate multiple ideas and alternatives for problem solving?

In which situation is arbitration often used?

What is the difference between plurality-wins rule and majority-wins rule?

What is the decision making technique developed by A.F. Osborn?

What is the decision making technique used when a family decides where to live?

What is the decision making technique used when a political party decides on a presidential candidate?

What is the decision making technique used when parliament decides on a district chief executive?

What is group decision making?

Why are groups less likely to make mistakes?

Why do groups tend to be more conservative?

What is the outcome of group decision making in some cases?

What is the purpose of group decision making?

Why are many decisions made by groups?

What happens during the process of group decision making?

What is the result of group decision making after some period of deliberation?

What influences the decision made by a group?

What is the purpose of social decision schemes?

What is the unanimity rule in social decision schemes?

What is the plurality-wins rule in social decision schemes?

What is the two-thirds majority rule in social decision schemes?

What is the truth-wins rule in social decision schemes?

What is the 1st shift rule in social decision schemes?

What is an example of the two-thirds majority rule in social decision schemes?

What is the primary goal of brainstorming?

Why is it important to stay focused on the topic during brainstorming?

What is the purpose of using different colored markers during brainstorming?

What is the main difference between brainstorming and the nominal group technique?

Why is it important to encourage wild and creative ideas during brainstorming?

What is the purpose of voting in the nominal group technique?

Study Notes

Group Decision Making

Advantages of Group Decision Making

The Process of Group Decision Making

Stages of Group Decision Making

The Transition Process

Social Decision Schemes

Decision Making Techniques

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