Term
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Definition
| The process of choosing from among several alternatives. |
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Term
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Definition
| Two-thirds of the group or team is equal to a **supermajority decision** |
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Term
| Elements of Group Decision Making |
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Definition
| 1- The group assesses the present situation 2- The group identifies its goals 3- The group identifies several alteratives 4- The group evaluates the positive and negative consequences of alternatives 5- The group selects the alternative (make a decison) |
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Term
| Methods of Group Decision Making |
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Definition
| 1- Decision by expert in group 2- Decision by expert outside group 3- Averaging individual rankings or ratings 4- Random choice 5- Majority rule 6- Decision by minority 7- Decision by consensus |
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Term
| Obstacles to Quality Group Decision Making |
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Definition
| 1- The group fails to analyze the present situation accurately 2- The group fails to establish a clear and appropriate goal 3- The group fails to identify the positive and negative consequences of the alternatives. 4- The group has bad information 5- The group does not think critically about the data it has 6- Too few people are involved in the discussion. |
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Term
| Uncertainty in Group Decision Making |
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Definition
| 1- The more representative or typical the decision and the facts and information gathered to help make the decision, the less uncertainty you should experience. 2- if a decision is similar to other decisions that have been made previously, the less mysterious and more manageable. |
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Term
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Definition
| The process of overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal. |
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Term
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Definition
| 1- undesirable existing situation 2- a goal a group wishes to achieve 3- obstacles that keep a group from achieving its goal. Almost every problem can be phrased in term of something you want more of or less of. |
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Term
| Barriers to Group and Team Problem Solving |
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Definition
| 1- Lack of structure 2- Lack of cultural sensitivity 3- Lack of planning 4- Lack of resources 5- Wrong people present 6- Time pressure 7- Poor communication 8- Unsupportive social climate 9- Negative attitudes 10- Lack of problem-solving skill |
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Term
| 3 different approaches to understanding group problem solving: |
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Definition
| 1- The descriptive approach (identifies the typical patterns of communication when people interact to solve problems) 2- The functional approach (key task requirements and stresses the importance of effective communication as major factors that contribute to effective problem solving 3- The prescriptive approach (specific agendas and techniques to improve group-solving performance. |
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Term
| **Descriptive Approach** (1) to problem solving |
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Definition
| Phase 1: Orientation. **The orientation phase** suggests that group members's communication is directed at orienting themselves toward others as well as to the group's task, which can also be said about the other phases. **Primary tension** occurs when group members are uncertain how to behave and feel somewhat awkward about what to do or say. (testing the water before jumping) |
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Term
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Definition
| Phase 2: **Conflict phase** (after testing the water, we are ready for jumping) persuasive attempts at changing other's opinions and reinforcing one's own position. **Secondary tension** Compete for leadership, power, and position in the group. |
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Term
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Definition
| Phase 3: **Emergence** the way in which members deal with conflict created in phase 2. The need to settle differences and reach consensus. |
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Term
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Definition
| Phase 4: **Reinforcement** Characterized by positive feelings toward the group and its decisions. Finally, members feel a genuine sense of accomplishment. The group is at its most cohesive level. |
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Term
| Descriptive Models of Group Solving |
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Definition
| **Dialectical Theory** A theory that helps to explain the messiness of group interaction is dialectical theory. Suggests that during communication there are often competing tensions pulling the conversation into multiple directions. |
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Term
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Definition
| Groups may not march through 4 phases but rather cycle, or spiral. The content may be more important than the sequence. A topic may get sidetracked and abandon for another. |
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Term
| Punctuated Equilibrium Model |
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Definition
| **Breakpoint** A point in a group discussion when members shift to a different activity. The nothing happening to a something happening. |
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Term
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Definition
| Groups and teams may be doing several things at once rather than cycling thought predictable phases. They engage in 3 types of **activity tracks** |
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Term
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Definition
| 1- Task-process activities (activities that focus on the problem, activities that serve executive functions, solution activities) |
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Term
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Definition
| Manage relationships and help maintain the group climate. Verbal or non-verbal communication that indicates who likes and dislikes whom can be categorized as relational activity. |
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Term
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Definition
| Deal with the general themes, major issues, or arguments of concern to the group at a given point in the discussion. |
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Term
| **Functional Approach** to problem solving |
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Definition
| Whether the interaction is going through phases, spirals, or sequences, it describes what happen when groups communicate. Groups and teams become effective, not only by applying communication techniques but also by achieving a goal. |
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Term
| Key functions in order to develop a high-quality solution (Functional approach) |
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Definition
| 1- Develop an accurate understanding of the problem 2- Develop requirements for an acceptable choice. 3- Develop many alternatives to solve the problem 4- Assess the positive features of the alternatives or options for solving the problem. 5- Assess the negative features of the alternatives or options for solving the problem. |
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Term
| Effective Group Problem Solvers (high-quality decision) 1- Analysis function |
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Definition
| 1- they establish clear criteria 2- they see the problem from a variety of viewpoints 3- they gather data and research issues 4- they use evidence effectively to reach a valid conclusion 5- they ask appropriate questions |
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Term
| Effective Group Problem Solvers (high quality decision) 2- Idea-generation function |
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Definition
| 1- they search for many alternatives or solutions to a problem. 2- they make high-quality statements to the group. 3- they take a vacation from a problem to revitalize the group. |
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Term
| Effective Group Problem Solvers (high-quality desision) 3- Evaluation function |
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Definition
| 1- they examine the pros and cons of potential solutions. 2- they evaluate the opinions and assumptions of others. 3- they test solutions to see if they meet preestablished criteria. |
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Term
| Effective Group Problem Solvers (high-quality decision) 4- Personal-sensitivity function |
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Definition
| 1- they are concerned for both the group task and the feelings of others. 2- they listen to minority arguments and opinions. |
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Term
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Definition
| They are critical thinkers. They pay attention to the process of problem solving. |
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Term
| **Prescriptive Approach** to problem solving |
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Definition
| Specific do's and don't for structuring a group's problem-solving agenda. Perform certain behaviors in a specific order to achieve a group goal. (structure)(unstructured problem is about which we have little information and thus high uncertainty. |
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