Deck 8: Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Creativity

Question 1

Ben, a trainer, meets his team to discuss the possibility of senior engineers training new engineers. He also meets the human resources director to see if she can offer training seminars and to examine the effect of increased work experience on training requirements. Which step of the rational model of decision making is Ben at?

A) Gathering and organizing facts
B) Identifying the alternative solutions
C) Getting feedback
D) Identifying the problem

Answer 1

A

Question 2

According to the rational model of decision making, a decision maker first

A) takes corrective action.
B) identifies the problem.
C) receives feedback.
D) evaluates alternatives.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

When people analyze alternatives, they tend to rely on their intuition and gut instincts instead of collecting impartial data. This is known as

A) self-fulfilling prophecy.
B) the recency syndrome.
C) subjective rationality.
D) the halo effect.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Phil, the manager of a grocery store, orders truckloads of pumpkins as he believes that there will be a huge demand for it based on the sales of the previous month. He doesn't know that the demand was due to the State Pumpkin Week held the previous month. This is an example of the human compromise known as

A) subjective rationality.
B) personal perspective.
C) stereotyping.
D) simplicity.

Question 5

Dan works 50 to 60 hours a week supervising a group of engineers. He realizes that he is spending too much time training new engineers and starts thinking about new options. He could delegate the training to the senior engineers, ask the human resources department to offer training seminars, or require better work experience from all future employees. Which step in the rational model of decision making is Dan performing here?

A) Identifying the problem
B) Identifying alternative solutions
C) Getting feedback
D) Gathering and organizing facts

Question 6

In the rational model of decision making, identifying alternative solutions is the

A) last step that involves getting feedback.
B) step during which the best alternative is implemented.
C) next step after recognizing the problem.
D) only step which requires subjective rationality.

Question 7

In the rational model of decision making, which of the following is the next step after identifying alternative solutions?

A) Identifying the problem
B) Gathering and organizing facts
C) Getting feedback and taking corrective action
D) Evaluating alternatives

Question 8

Antonio is the owner of a popular Italian restaurant. He decides to stop offering takeaway services to his customers because he feels the beauty in the way food is presented will be lost when it is packaged. His customers are very unhappy with his decision. Which human compromise has Antonio made?

A) Personal perspective
B) Simplicity
C) Recency syndrome
D) Stereotyping

Question 9

Which of the following is a true statement about bounded rationality?

A) It is the act of choosing an alternative that meets the minimum standards of acceptability.
B) It is the main cause of the recency syndrome.
C) It occurs when we rely on intuition instead of data.
D) It is our tendency to find the simplest possible solution to a problem.

Question 10

Choosing an alternative that meets minimum standards of acceptability is a form of

A) purposive rationality.
B) bounded rationality.
C) instrumental rationality.
D) subjective rationality.

Question 11

A decision is a(n)

A) choice from among available alternatives.
B) prejudicial treatment of others.
C) belief held by like-minded people.
D) evaluation of evidences.

Question 12

In the rational model of decision making, which of the following is the next step after gathering and organizing facts?

A) Identifying the problem
B) Identifying alternative solutions
C) Getting feedback and taking corrective action
D) Evaluating alternatives

Question 13

In the process of bounded rationality, which of the following steps comes after one identifies the problem?

A) Choosing an alternative solution
B) Seeing if the alternative solves the problem
C) Implementing the solution
D) Gathering and organizing facts

Question 14

Steven works 90 hours a week at his job as the manager of a paper manufacturing company. He often feels stressed while at work. He assumes that his strained relationship with his girlfriend is the reason for his stress, so he decides to break up with her. According to the rational model of decision making, Steven has

A) accurately identified the source of his problem.
B) applied bounded rationality to evaluate his alternatives.
C) made the mistake of choosing and implementing the best alternative without getting feedback first.
D) not identified alternative solutions.

Question 15

Subjective rationality is the tendency to

A) favor a solution that is justifiable to others.
B) assume that everyone sees things the same way.
C) rely on intuition instead of data.
D) choose the simplest possible solution to a problem.

Question 16

The downside of taking a simpler approach to decision making is that

A) it tends to bypass innovative solutions.
B) an alternative that meets minimum standards of acceptability is chosen.
C) it limits a decision maker's understanding of the people involved.
D) only recent events are taken into consideration.

Question 17

In the rational model of decision making, which of the following steps comes after one chooses and implements the best alternative?

A) Identifying the problem
B) Gathering and organizing facts
C) Getting feedback and taking corrective action
D) Identifying the alternative solutions

Question 18

In the rational model of decision making, evaluation of alternatives

A) is the last step.
B) should be as objective as possible.
C) can only be done with the help of a decision tree.
D) is the only step that requires subjective rationality.

Question 19

In the context of human compromises in decision making, which of the following statements is true of bounded rationality?

A) It occurs when a decision maker tends to select an alternative that he or she has tried before and that has delivered acceptable results.
B) It occurs when a decision maker settles for an alternative that he or she considers good enough because other limitations make finding the best alternative impossible.
C) It occurs when a decision maker relies on his or her intuition and gut instincts while analyzing alternatives instead of collecting impartial data.
D) It occurs when a decision maker assumes that everyone around sees things the way he or she does.

Question 20

In the rational model of decision making, the selection and implementation of the best alternative

A) requires formal criteria for making decisions.
B) should be as subjective as possible.
C) can only be done with the help of a decision tree.
D) can only be done after getting feedback.

Question 21

Kenny, a team leader, remembers that the last time he gave a negative performance appraisal, Lisa, a team member, became very hostile. He decides against the idea and tries to keep the appraisal meeting neutral by not criticizing her too much, even though a negative appraisal two years ago had led Lisa to improve her performance. This is an example of the human compromise known as ________.

A) the recency syndrome
B) bounded rationality
C) rationalization
D) stereotyping

Question 22

Identify a true statement about stereotyping.

A) It refers to the human tendency to remember events that have occurred recently than those that took place in the past.
B) It can only be eliminated by assuming that everyone is alike.
C) It seldom interferes with rational decision making.
D) It distorts the truth that people offer a rich variety of individual strengths and viewpoints.

Question 23

Linda is the manager of a graphic design company. Her IT team asked for her consent to upgrade the editing software used by employees. Linda remembered that when such an upgrade was made in the previous month, all the systems crashed, and work was affected for several days. So, she refused to give consent for the upgrade even though such upgrades had been generally useful in the past. Which human compromise has influenced this decision?

A) Recency syndrome
B) Simplicity
C) Bounded rationality
D) Stereotype

Question 24

Which of the following refers to a rigid opinion about categories of people?

A) Ethnocentrism
B) Narcissism
C) Stereotype
D) Nepotism

Question 25

Daphne, who works part-time and goes to school full-time, has the ability to obtain straight As but is not motivated to work for them. She thinks she can justify her low grades since she works part-time and is, therefore, not able to put in the hours required to get straight As. Which human compromise is this an example of?

A) Rationalizing
B) Brainstorming
C) Regression
D) Displacement

Question 26

Anita, a quality supervisor, knows that her manager focuses on maintaining quality. Anita tends to favor a high-quality alternative whenever she is considering alternative ways to approach a problem. She understands that another alternative might be more successful. However, Anita believes that whatever the outcome, her manager is likely to appreciate her efforts to maintain the quality standard. This is an example of the human compromise known as ________.

A) bounded rationality
B) the recency syndrome
C) stereotyping
D) rationalization

Question 27

In the context of the human compromises in decision making, rationalization occurs when people

A) select an alternative that they have tried before and that has delivered acceptable results.
B) consider alternatives only until one is found that meets their minimum criteria for acceptability.
C) favor solutions that they believe they can justify to others.
D) remember events that have occurred recently than those that took place sometime in the past.

Question 28

In the context of the human compromises in decision making, _____ interferes with good decisions when the decision maker focuses more on justifying an alternative than on weighing alternatives against previously defined criteria.

A) rationalization
B) simplification
C) personification
D) generalization

Question 29

The cure for stereotyping is to

A) ignore the strengths and values people receive from their culture.
B) distort the truth that people offer a rich variety of individual strengths and viewpoints.
C) talk about one's own stereotypes about people and situations.
D) not assume that everyone is alike.

Question 30

Lisa, a supervisor in a manufacturing firm, observes that her team members are always late. This annoys her so much that she wants to fire everyone in her team. However, she knows that this choice will be demoralizing. She rejects this alternative realizing that this will create a sudden need for hiring and training and probably will not impress her manager. Then, she remembers that she gave "timeliness awards" last year, but that did not stop the tardiness of her team members, so she rejects that alternative, as well. Finally, she recollects reading an article that recommends spelling out the consequences of tardiness and then letting the employees experience those consequences. She decides to try that approach. This is an example of the human compromise known as ________.

A) simplicity
B) personal perspective
C) bounded rationality
D) stereotyping

Question 31

Which of the following is a true statement about the recency syndrome?

A) It is the measure of an individual's ability to think creatively when faced with a high-pressure deadline.
B) It is the cause of groupthink.
C) It is the tendency to more easily remember events that have occurred in the near past.
D) It is the tendency to choose the simplest possible solution to a problem.

Question 32

Stereotyping interferes with rational decision making because it

A) involves choosing an alternative that meets minimum standards of acceptability.
B) limits a decision maker's understanding of the people involved.
C) eliminates a decision maker's ability to brainstorm.
D) eliminates groupthink.

Question 33

To avoid the problem of personal perspective, decision makers must

A) justify the reason for the decision to others.
B) find out what other people are thinking and then consider those views.
C) assume that everyone sees things the same way as they do.
D) believe that their decisions must be clear to everyone else.

Question 34

Which of the following refers to the tendency to most readily remember events that have just occurred?

A) Recency syndrome
B) Halo effect
C) Bounded rationality
D) Groupthink

Question 35

Crumbs is a popular bread manufacturing company. It is famous for its unsliced bread, and many customers believe that slicing the bread will make it lose its flavor. So, when Charles, the manager of the company, decides to start selling presliced bread, assuming that the customers would find it more convenient, the customers protest. This is an example of the human compromise known as

A) simplicity.
B) the recency syndrome.
C) personal perspective.
D) stereotyping.

Question 36

Assuming that everyone is alike is not a cure for stereotyping because it

A) results in bounded rationality.
B) oversimplifies the situation.
C) eliminates groupthink.
D) values individual differences.

Question 37

Rita, the sales manager of a large multinational company, relies on her experience and instinct rather than quantifiable data to predict the future trends in the demand for their product. She says, "I think we should increase the inventory of our product by 20 percent. I feel there is going to be a huge spike in the next quarter." This scenario exemplifies the human compromise known as ________.

A) bounded rationality
B) subjective rationality
C) stereotyping
D) simplicity

Question 38

In the context of personal perspective as a compromise in decision making, people make the mistake of

A) selecting an alternative that they have tried before.
B) relying on their intuition and gut instincts instead of collecting impartial data.
C) favoring solutions that they believe they can justify to others.
D) assuming that everyone sees things the way they do.

Question 39

Ken is a writer for a local magazine. His manager, assuming that Ken must be good at math since he is Asian, asks Ken if he can do his taxes for him. This is an example of

A) stereotyping
B) bounded rationality.
C) recency syndrome.
D) groupthink.

Question 40

When time, cost, or other limitations, such as the tendency to simplify, make finding the best alternative impossible or unreasonable, decision makers settle for an alternative they consider good enough. This sort of human compromise is referred to as ________.

A) bounded rationality
B) subjective rationality
C) the recency syndrome
D) personal perspective

Question 41

When the consequences of a decision are great, which of the following should the supervisor follow?

A) Spend less time on the decision to avoid confusion
B) Use the rational model of decision making
C) Avoid using alternative solutions
D) Limit the money spent in identifying and evaluating alternatives

Question 42

Which of the following statements is true of decision trees?

A) They are used in measuring the magnitude of the recency syndrome.
B) They are only used when evaluating alternatives in the rational model of decision making.
C) They show expected values of decisions in varying circumstances.
D) They can only be used with the help of decision-making software.

Question 43

It is appropriate to make a decision using bounded rationality when

A) it is not possible to be decisive.
B) a group has to arrive at the decision.
C) the decision needs to be made quickly in a crisis.
D) it is not possible to use stereotypes.

Question 44

Access and IBM DB2 are examples of

A) guidelines for decision making.
B) frameworks for assessing employees' strengths.
C) tools used in probability theory.
D) database management programs.

Question 45

Melvin is the owner of a musical instruments store. William, a music teacher, is a customer who regularly buys five to six electric guitars. One day, William asked Melvin if he could provide 10 custom guitars. Melvin didn't check to see if he could meet William's requirements but agreed to make the guitars. Later, Melvin realized that he didn't have the right parts to make the guitars and apologized to William for his failure. Which decision-making trap does this scenario exemplify?

A) Assuming only one choice is right
B) Treating every decision like a crisis
C) Promising too much
D) Overlooking precedent

Question 46

Being decisive means

A) making a decision without making any human compromise.
B) reaching a decision within a reasonable amount of time.
C) making the simplest possible decision.
D) taking as much time as needed to choose an alternative.

Question 47

In the context of the Osborne-Parnes Creative Problem Solving process, once the main objective or goal has been identified, the next step is to ________.

A) select and strengthen solutions
B) generate ideas
C) gather data
D) plan for action

Question 48

In decision making, why is feedback important for a supervisor?

A) It indicates whether the chosen solution is working.
B) It eliminates the use of stereotypes when making a decision.
C) It helps the supervisor use subjective rationality more effectively.
D) It makes the supervisor choose the simplest solution to all problems.

Question 49

Which of the following is typical of a decisive supervisor?

A) Makes quick decisions and is not affected by feedback on how the solution is working
B) Does not bother too much with clearing his or her desk of routine matters
C) Promptly refers matters to the proper people
D) Delegates complete responsibility for getting the facts needed to solve a problem

Question 50

In using a decision tree, decision makers should select the alternative that has the

A) greatest expected value.
B) least expected value.
C) expected value of zero.
D) average expected value.

Question 51

In a crisis, a supervisor should

A) inform his or her boss before taking any action.
B) weigh each employee's qualifications and select the best employee.
C) quickly select the course of action that seems best.
D) list all the possible responses.

Question 52

When the consequences of the decision are slight, a supervisor should

A) limit the money spent in identifying and evaluating alternatives.
B) spend more time on the decision and avoid making any compromises.
C) strictly follow the rational model of decision making.
D) seek to include as many alternatives as possible.

Question 53

A salesperson tells his customers that he will give them some freebies if they purchase laptops from his store. However, he has neither asked the store manager if he can do so nor checked if the shop has an adequate stock of freebies. As such, he is not able to deliver the freebies to his customers. Which decision-making trap does this scenario exemplify?

A) Responding inappropriately to failure
B) Promising too much
C) Assuming only one choice is right
D) Overlooking precedent

Question 54

Which of the following is the first step of the Osborne-Parnes Creative Problem Solving process?

A) Fact finding
B) Objective finding
C) Problem finding
D) Idea finding

Question 55

When a manager needs to know about a decision, it is usually smart for a supervisor to

A) discuss the problem before reaching and announcing the decision.
B) inform the manager about every minor decision being made each day.
C) quickly select the course of action that seems best.
D) agree to discuss the decision as soon as possible after it is made.

Question 56

Which of the following is a true statement about probability theory?

A) It can only be used to make decisions in situations that do not involve risk.
B) It states that groupthink will always result as a product of brainstorming.
C) It requires knowledge of the expected values of each alternative when making a decision.
D) It cannot be applied to real life situations without the use of computer software.

Question 57

Craig, the supervisor of a chemical plant, made the error of ordering more raw materials than required. When his manager asked him about this, he responded by saying that the production team misinformed him. In the context of decision-making traps, Craig has

A) promised too much.
B) responded inappropriately to failure.
C) overlooked precedent.
D) assumed only one choice is right.

Question 58

A graph that helps decision makers use probability theory by showing the expected values of decisions in varying circumstances is known as a(n)

A) Gantt chart.
B) probability curve.
C) bar graph.
D) decision tree.

Question 59

Decision-making software

A) makes decision trees obsolete.
B) makes decisions for supervisors.
C) promotes groupthink by increasing the use of bounded rationality to reduce stereotypes.
D) leads users through the steps of the formal decision-making process.

Question 60

Which of the following is a guideline for proper decision making in the workplace?

A) Consider the consequences of one's actions.
B) Respond slowly to make sure one is making the right decision.
C) Inform one's boss after reaching and announcing a major decision.
D) Always be rigid when one has made up one's mind.

Question 61

To use the probability theory, a supervisor

A) needs to know or be able to estimate the value of each possible outcome.
B) must assume that only one choice is right.
C) needs to be able to balance the application of bounded rationality with groupthink.
D) must use database management software such as Access or Oracle Database.

Question 62

When supervisors notice that their group is showing the symptoms of groupthink, they should

A) defend the group's position against any objections.
B) encourage group members to listen with an open mind.
C) urge group members to go along with the group.
D) create an illusion of invulnerability.

Question 63

Which of the following statements is true of brainstorming?

A) It is a technique used to promote groupthink.
B) It is an idea-generating process.
C) It is designed to eliminate stereotypes.
D) It is a measure of the recency syndrome.

Question 64

The failure to think independently and realistically as a group because of the desire to enjoy consensus and closeness is called

A) in-group bias.
B) ecological fallacy.
C) groupthink.
D) recency syndrome.

Question 65

Identify a disadvantage of group decision making.

A) Group decision-making processes always look at problems from a narrow perspective.
B) Group decision-making processes disallow people to draw on their own experiences when generating and evaluating ideas.
C) People who come up with a solution are more likely to support the implementation of the solution only when their contributions are rewarded.
D) There is always a risk of the group reaching an inferior decision by letting a subgroup dominate the process.

Question 66

Identify a true statement about decision-making software.

A) It eliminates a user's need to identify alternatives or provide information about his or her values and priorities.
B) It complicates the process of decision making.
C) It makes it easier for supervisors to organize their thoughts and gather information.
D) It is designed to promote groupthink.

Question 67

In which of the following situations should a supervisor use group decision making?

A) When the supervisor needs to build support for a solution
B) When a decision must be made quickly, as in an emergency
C) When the potential benefit of the decision is insignificant
D) When the supervisor needs to use bounded rationality

Question 68

Samantha is a project supervisor for an ad agency. She calls a meeting to generate ideas for a new ad. During the meeting, she finds that some members do not speak at all. In this case, Samantha should

A) ask their opinions about the ideas discussed.
B) ask them to play the role of mindguards and urge other group members to go along with the group.
C) criticize them for being quiet.
D) ask them to play the role of devil's advocate and defend the group's position against any objections.

Question 69

Lincoln, the supervisor of an acid manufacturing company, finds out that there has been an acid leakage from one of the containers, and if nothing is done, the plant is likely to be destroyed within hours. Which of the following is the optimum response for this situation?

A) He should call a group meeting to discuss the situation.
B) He should have a brainstorming session with his plant manager.
C) He should make a quick decision by himself.
D) He should use decision trees to arrive at a solution.

Question 70

In which of the following situations should a supervisor make a decision alone?

A) When the supervisor needs to cut costs or improve productivity
B) When a decision must be made quickly, as in an emergency
C) When the supervisor needs to build support for a solution
D) When the consequences of a poor decision are significant

Question 71

An idea-generating process in which group members state their ideas, have their ideas recorded, and no one comments on the ideas until the process is complete is referred to as

A) brainstorming.
B) bounded rationality.
C) stereotyping.
D) groupthink.

Question 72

Identify a disadvantage of using brainstorming to generate ideas in a group.

A) Hearing one or two ideas may send the group down the wrong track.
B) Brainstorming inevitably leads to groupthink.
C) An illusion of invulnerability is created during brainstorming sessions.
D) Brainstorming diminishes the role of the supervisor in groups.

Question 73

A supervisor leading a group decision-making meeting should make sure that everyone participates because

A) it creates an illusion of invulnerability in the group.
B) it stimulates groupthink, which enhances the quality of ideas.
C) it is the only way to avoid the problems related to stereotyping.
D) it utilizes the variety of opinions and expertise available.

Question 74

Whenever supervisors ask for input from a group, they should be sure they intend to use the information, or the group

A) members will fall victim to groupthink.
B) will suffer from the recency syndrome.
C) members will be offended.
D) will be more likely to use self-censorship.

Question 75

In which of the following groups are its members most likely to experience groupthink?

A) A group that has a designated devil's advocate
B) A group that includes people who are known for questioning ideas and arguing unpopular viewpoints
C) A group that employs self-censorship
D) A group that sleeps on a decision before finalizing it

Question 76

When a supervisor needs to build support for a solution, such as cutting costs or improving productivity, it is best for him or her to

A) use group decision making.
B) make the decisions alone.
C) let his or her boss make the decision.
D) make the decision with the help of top management only.

Question 77

Identify an advantage of group decision making.

A) Group decision making is appropriate for all situations and always results in the implementation of perfect solutions.
B) Group members will look at a problem from a broader perspective.
C) Group members engage in groupthink, which improves the quality of decisions made.
D) Group decision making inevitably results in superior decisions when one person dominates the whole process.

Question 78

Which of the following is a way to generate ideas in a group?

A) Groupthink
B) Brainstorming
C) Stereotyping
D) Reinforcement

Question 79

Identify a symptom of groupthink.

A) A view that the group is clearly moral
B) Opposing the group's position against any objections
C) An illusion of being vulnerable
D) Being receptive to ideas that are contrary to the group's ideas

Question 80

James is the supervisor of a group responsible for coming up with a name for a new product. He finds that his group has fallen victim to groupthink. Which of the following steps should he take to rectify this situation?

A) He should ask his group members to be more agreeable and appoint one member to act as a mindguard who urges other members to go along with the group.
B) He should apply pressure against group members who disagree.
C) He should let the members of the group think that they are invulnerable.
D) He should appoint one group member to act as devil's advocate, challenging the position of the majority.