Chapter 11: Decision Making

Question 1

A con- ceptual analysis of the steps or processes that groups generally follow when making a decision, with a focus on the intended purpose of each step or process in the overall decision-making sequence.

Answer 1

functional theory of group decision making

Question 2

Knowledge, expectations, con- ceptualizations, and other cognitive representations that members of a group have in common pertaining to the group and its members, tasks, procedures, and resources.

Answer 2

shared mental model

Question 3

A task will expand to fill the time available for its completion.

Answer 3

Parkinson’s law

Question 4

The amount of time a group spends on discussing any issue will be in inverse proportion to the consequentiality of the issue.

Answer 4

law of triviality

Question 5

A strategy or rule used in a group to select a single alternative from among various alternatives proposed and discussed during the group’s deliberations, including explicitly acknowledged decision rules (e.g., the group accepts the alternative favored by the majority) and implicit decisional procedures (e.g., the group accepts the alternative favored by the most pow- erful members).

Answer 5

social decision scheme

Question 6

A theory of decision making and leadership developed by Victor Vroom that predicts the effectiveness of group-centered, consultative, and autocratic decisional procedures across a number of group settings.

Answer 6

normative model of decision making

Question 7

The tendency for members of a de- liberating group to move to a more extreme position, with the direction of the shift determined by the majority or average of the members’predeliberation preferences.

Answer 7

group polarization

Question 8

A group member who shields the group from negative or controversial information by gatekeep- ing and suppressing dissent.

Answer 8

mindguard