Question 1

A company's recycling task force is composed of fifteen members. If the task force makes decisions based on a consensus, how many members must be in favor of the group decision?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 8
D) 10
E) 15

Accepted Answer

E

Question 2

When trying to achieve group consensus, use all of the following guidelines except
A) use "easy" ways of reaching a decision or solution such a flipping a coin, letting the majority rule or reaching a compromise.
B) try to be logical rather than emotional when there is disagreement.
C) if there is a deadlock, work to find the next best alternative that is acceptable to all.
D) get everyone involved in the discussion.
E) welcome differences of opinion.

Accepted Answer

Using "easy" ways like flipping a coin or letting the majority rule does not truly achieve group consensus, as it bypasses thorough discussion and agreement among all members.

Question 3

Which decision making style is illustrated in the following comment? "Let's do it now and worry about what happens later."
A) rational decision maker
B) intuitive decision maker
C) dependent decision maker
D) avoidant decision maker
E) spontaneous decision maker

Accepted Answer

The comment reflects a spontaneous decision-making style, characterized by quick actions without extensive deliberation or concern for future consequences.

Question 4

The key to becoming a well-informed group lies in the ability of members to
A) assess the group's current knowledge.
B) identify areas needing research.
C) assign research responsibilities and deadlines.
D) determine how to share information effectively.
E) do all of the above.

Accepted Answer

All the options listed are essential steps in ensuring that a group becomes well-informed. Assessing current knowledge, identifying research needs, assigning tasks, and sharing information effectively are all crucial components of the process.

Question 5

Which decision making style is illustrated in the following comment? "If all of you think it's a good idea, then I'll vote to do it too."
A) rational decision maker
B) intuitive decision maker
C) dependent decision maker
D) avoidant decision maker
E) spontaneous decision maker

Accepted Answer

The comment reflects a dependent decision maker, who relies on others' opinions and consensus to make decisions.

Question 6

Which of the following strategies should be used when seeking consensus?
A) Stubbornly argue only for your own position.
B) Change your mind in order to avoid conflict or reach a quick decision.
C) Welcome differences of opinion.
D) Agree to a decision or solution you can't support.
E) Use "easy" ways of reaching a solution such as flipping a coin, letting the majority rule, or trading one decision for another.

Accepted Answer

Welcoming differences of opinion is crucial for consensus-building as it encourages open dialogue and understanding, leading to a more inclusive and agreeable solution for all parties involved.

Question 7

Which symptom of groupthink is expressed when a group member confronts another by saying: "Why aren't you in favor of this? You're the only one who's against it. Give it up!"
A) rationalization
B) self-censorship
C) mindguarding
D) pressure on dissent
E) illusion of invulnerability

Accepted Answer

This statement exemplifies pressure on dissent, which is a symptom of groupthink that occurs when group members put pressure on those who express dissenting opinions or ideas. The group member in the scenario is attempting to make the dissenting member conform to the majority opinion by questioning their stance and making them feel like they are the only one against the decision.

Question 8

Which ethical responsibility functions when group members promise to reveal their sources of information so others can evaluate them?
A) The Research Responsibility
B) The Common Good Responsibility
C) The Reasoning Responsibility
D) The Social Code Responsibility
E) The Freedom of Speech Responsibility

Accepted Answer

The Research Responsibility involves ensuring that information sources are transparent and can be evaluated by others, which aligns with the ethical responsibility of revealing sources.

Question 9

Problem solving occurs when a group
A) reaches a conclusion or makes a decision.
B) passes judgment on an issue under consideration.
C) develops and agrees to a plan that reduces or eliminates the harmful effects of a problem.
D) chooses among alternatives.
E) analyzes the background, causes, and effects of an immediate problem.

Accepted Answer

Problem solving involves identifying a problem, analyzing its causes and effects, developing and evaluating possible solutions, and ultimately implementing a plan that reduces or eliminates the negative impact of the problem. While decisions and judgments may be made during the problem-solving process, the ultimate goal is to come up with a viable plan to address the problem at hand.

Question 10

All of the following methods are appropriate for minimizing the potential for groupthink except
A) ask each member to serve in the role of critical evaluator.
B) if possible, have more than one group work on the same problem independently.
C) avoid asking questions and do not demand justifications from others.
D) discuss the potential negative consequences of any decision or action.
E) before finalizing the decision, give members a second chance to express doubts.

Accepted Answer

Avoiding questions and not demanding justifications can lead to groupthink, as it discourages critical evaluation and open discussion, which are essential for preventing groupthink.

Question 11

"What causes acid rain?" is an example of a question of
A) fact.
B) conjecture.
C) value.
D) policy.
E) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

The question "What causes acid rain?" seeks a factual answer about the scientific causes of acid rain, making it a question of fact.

Question 12

Which decision making style is demonstrated by a group member who says, "When making a decision, I usually trust feelings or gut instincts."?
A) rational decision maker
B) intuitive decision maker
C) dependent decision maker
D) avoidant decision maker
E) spontaneous decision maker

Accepted Answer

The statement reflects an intuitive decision-making style, where decisions are based on feelings or gut instincts rather than analytical processes.

Question 13

Which ethical responsibility functions when group members consider the interests of those affected by their decisions?
A) The Research Responsibility
B) The Common Good Responsibility
C) The Reasoning Responsibility
D) The Social Code Responsibility
E) The Freedom of Speech Responsibility

Accepted Answer

The Common Good Responsibility involves considering the interests and well-being of all individuals affected by decisions, ensuring that actions contribute positively to the community as a whole.

Question 14

Which symptom of groupthink is expressed when a group member says "Of course, we're right. We have a perfect safety record, have done this many times, and nothing's gone wrong."?
A) morality
B) stereotyping Outsiders
C) mindguarding
D) illusion of unanimity
E) illusion of invulnerability

Accepted Answer

The statement reflects an "illusion of invulnerability," where the group believes they are immune to error due to past successes, leading to overconfidence and risk-taking.

Question 15

"Which candidate should we support as president of the student government association?" is an example of a question of
A) fact.
B) conjecture.
C) value.
D) policy.
E) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

This question is about deciding on a course of action, which aligns with a question of policy.

Question 16

As a group decision-making tool, voting works best when
A) a group is pressed for time.
B) the issue is not highly controversial.
C) a group is too large to use any other decision-making method.
D) there is no other way to break a deadlock.
E) any of the above occurs.

Accepted Answer

Voting is a versatile decision-making tool that can be effectively used in various situations, including when a group is pressed for time, when the issue at hand is not highly controversial, when the group size makes other methods impractical, or when there's a deadlock that needs to be broken.

Question 17

_______________ occurs when group members reluctantly give in to group pressures or to an external authority.
A) Majority rule
B) Groupthink
C) Dependent decision making
D) False consensus
E) Authority rule

Accepted Answer

The answer of _______________ occurs when group members reluctantly give...

Question 18

According to your textbook, the following three prerequisites should be in place whenever a group seeks to make an important decision or solve a significant problem:
A) skilled chairperson, conscientious members, clear structure
B) clear goal, quality content, structured procedures
C) questions of fact, value, and policy
D) voting, seeking consensus, authority rule
E) quantity, quality, and validity of research

Accepted Answer

A clear goal ensures that the group knows what they are trying to achieve, quality content provides the necessary information and insights, and structured procedures guide the decision-making process effectively.

Question 19

According to Irving Janis, groupthink is the deterioration of group effectiveness caused by
A) group disagreement and conflict.
B) lack of appropriate group roles.
C) failure to get beyond the storming stage of group development.
D) in-group pressure to conform.
E) lack of a structured procedure for problem solving.

Accepted Answer

Irving Janis defined groupthink as the tendency of a group to make faulty decisions due to peer pressure and a desire for conformity. This in-group pressure to conform can result in the deterioration of group effectiveness by narrowing the group's focus and limiting alternative views and ideas. The other answer choices (group disagreement and conflict, lack of appropriate group roles, failure to get beyond the storming stage of group development, lack of a structured procedure for problem solving) may also affect group effectiveness, but they are not specific to groupthink.

Question 20

Groupthink has been implicated in all of the following policy-making fiascos except
A) the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.
B) the Challenger space shuttle disaster.
C) George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq in 2003.
D) the decision of Americans to send money to help Hurricane Katrina victims.
E) all of the above were caused by groupthink.

Accepted Answer

The decision of Americans to send money to help Hurricane Katrina victims was not a policy-making fiasco caused by groupthink; it was a charitable response to a natural disaster.

Quiz 11: Group Decision Making, Problem Solving and Conflict

A company's recycling task force is composed of fifteen members. If the task force makes decisions based on a consensus, how many members must be in favor of the group decision?

When trying to achieve group consensus, use all of the following guidelines except

Which decision making style is illustrated in the following comment? "Let's do it now and worry about what happens later."

The key to becoming a well-informed group lies in the ability of members to

Which decision making style is illustrated in the following comment? "If all of you think it's a good idea, then I'll vote to do it too."

Which of the following strategies should be used when seeking consensus?

Which symptom of groupthink is expressed when a group member confronts another by saying: "Why aren't you in favor of this? You're the only one who's against it. Give it up!"

Which ethical responsibility functions when group members promise to reveal their sources of information so others can evaluate them?

Problem solving occurs when a group

All of the following methods are appropriate for minimizing the potential for groupthink except

"What causes acid rain?" is an example of a question of

Which decision making style is demonstrated by a group member who says, "When making a decision, I usually trust feelings or gut instincts."?

Which ethical responsibility functions when group members consider the interests of those affected by their decisions?

Which symptom of groupthink is expressed when a group member says "Of course, we're right. We have a perfect safety record, have done this many times, and nothing's gone wrong."?

"Which candidate should we support as president of the student government association?" is an example of a question of

As a group decision-making tool, voting works best when

_______________ occurs when group members reluctantly give in to group pressures or to an external authority.

According to your textbook, the following three prerequisites should be in place whenever a group seeks to make an important decision or solve a significant problem:

According to Irving Janis, groupthink is the deterioration of group effectiveness caused by

Groupthink has been implicated in all of the following policy-making fiascos except