Question 1

Which of the following is a primary characteristic of groupthink?
A)conflict among group members
B)failure to reach consensus within a group
C)complete conformity among group members
D)candidness and openness within a group

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is characterized by complete conformity among group members, where group members prioritize harmony over critical thinking and evaluation of ideas. This can lead to flawed decision-making and lack of consideration for alternative perspectives.

Question 2

Decisions made by individuals typically suffer from suspicions that the decision maker ________.
A)is dishonest
B)is not rational
C)did not try to analyze the situation
D)did not consult all interested parties

Accepted Answer

The answer of Decisions made by individuals typically suffer from...

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT allowed in a brainstorming session?
A)clear definition of the problem
B)criticism or dismissal of poor ideas
C)large number of alternatives
D)recording of all alternatives

Accepted Answer

Criticism or dismissal of poor ideas is not allowed in a brainstorming session as it can hinder the free flow of ideas and discourage participation. The purpose of brainstorming is to generate as many ideas as possible without the fear of judgment or criticism.

Question 4

Which phrase best summarizes the drawbacks of group decisions?
A)A camel is a racehorse put together by a manager.
B)A camel is a racehorse put together by a committee.
C)A camel is a no racehorse when it comes to speed.
D)A camel beats a racehorse in a long race.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "A camel is a racehorse put together by a committee" suggests that group decisions can result in a suboptimal outcome, just as a committee may create a suboptimal "racehorse" by compromising on different ideas and opinions.

Question 5

Which of the following is a drawback to seeking diverse views in decision making?
A)less reliable decision
B)easier decision-making process
C)more time consuming
D)less time consuming

Accepted Answer

Seeking diverse views in decision making can be more time consuming as it involves gathering and considering multiple perspectives, which may take longer than making a decision based on a single viewpoint.

Question 6

The eight steps of decision making ________.
A)can only be employed by individuals
B)can only be employed in very small groups
C)can be employed by individuals and groups
D)can only be employed by groups

Accepted Answer

The eight steps of decision making can be employed by both individuals and groups. They involve identifying the problem, gathering information, setting priorities, identifying alternatives, considering consequences, making a decision, taking action, and evaluating the decision. These steps can be used by an individual making a personal decision or by a group making a collective decision.

Question 7

A key to what is commonly used to assess risk is for a decision maker to examine the ________ an investment.
A)promises made by a company for
B)ads posted by a company for
C)historical data for
D)minor details of

Accepted Answer

Historical data provides a record of past performance, which can be used to identify trends and potential risks associated with an investment. This helps decision makers assess the level of risk involved and make a more informed decision. Promises made by a company or ads posted by a company may not always be reliable indicators of potential risk. Minor details may not provide enough information to accurately assess the overall risk of an investment.

Question 8

A manager wants to invest in one of three start-up companies.All three of the companies seem to have a good business plan.None of the companies has a track record.The manager is operating under which condition?
A)uncertainty
B)certainty
C)low certainty
D)risk

Accepted Answer

The fact that none of the companies have a track record means that the manager is operating under uncertainty, as there is no way to accurately predict the future success of the companies. Therefore, the best choice is A, as the manager is faced with an uncertain decision.

Question 9

________ can cause people in a group to fail to express their true opinions.
A)Ambiguous responsibility
B)Group imbalance
C)Pressure to conform
D)Years of experience

Accepted Answer

Pressure to conform refers to the tendency of group members to conform to the group's norms and values rather than to express their own views and opinions, even if they are in disagreement. This pressure can be strong enough to cause people to fail to express their true opinions. Ambiguous responsibility and group imbalance are other factors that can lead to groupthink, but they are not as directly related to the expression of opinions. Years of experience is not relevant to this concept.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can increase the probability of groupthink?
A)Influential group members dominate the discussion and the decision-making process.
B)Group leaders stress the importance of consensus above all other concerns.
C)The group has more than 40 group members.
D)Group leaders solicit ideas from all group members without passing judgment on their ideas.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is more likely when group leaders do not encourage open dialogue and critique. Soliciting ideas from all members without judgment, as mentioned in option D, actually reduces the risk of groupthink by promoting diverse viewpoints and critical thinking.

Question 11

Which of the following is used exclusively to generate creative ideas in a group setting?
A)brainstorming
B)nominal group technique
C)groupthink
D)electronic meetings

Accepted Answer

Brainstorming is a technique used to generate creative ideas by encouraging all members of a group to share their thoughts, regardless of how unconventional or impractical they may seem. This process allows for the free flow of ideas without fear of criticism or judgement, which can lead to novel and innovative solutions to problems or challenges. Nominal group technique and electronic meetings also involve group participation but may not necessarily focus exclusively on generating creative ideas, while groupthink involves conformity and can actually hinder creativity.

Question 12

One advantage of group decision making is that it usually provides ________ than individual decision making.
A)faster decisions
B)more ethical decisions
C)less confusion
D)more information

Accepted Answer

Group decision making allows for more individuals to contribute their ideas and perspectives, which can lead to a more diverse range of information and knowledge being considered in the decision making process. This can lead to more informed decisions being made.

Question 13

Group decision making typically increases the legitimacy of a decision because the decision was made ________.
A)over a long period of time
B)democratically
C)by experts
D)primarily by the group leader

Accepted Answer

Group decision making involves input and perspectives from multiple individuals, which increases the likelihood that a decision is fair and inclusive. By involving everyone in the process, the decision is made democratically, making it more legitimate to all members of the group.

Question 14

Which of the following is the most effective number of people to have in a group?
A)5-7
B)2-4
C)10-15
D)16-25

Accepted Answer

A group size of 5 to 7 is considered the most effective as it allows for a diverse range of perspectives while still being small enough for effective communication and decision-making. Larger groups may struggle with coordination and communication, while smaller groups may not have enough diversity of thought or skill sets.

Question 15

Groups decisions are usually ________ individual decisions.
A)more efficient than
B)less efficient than
C)equal in efficiency to
D)more efficient but less effective than

Accepted Answer

Group decisions tend to be less efficient than individual decisions because they often involve more people, require more time and effort to achieve consensus, and can be subject to groupthink or other biases. However, group decisions may be more effective in certain situations where a diversity of perspectives or expertise is needed.

Question 16

Managers in organizations make group decisions ________.
A)frequently
B)never
C)almost never
D)rarely

Accepted Answer

Managers in organizations make decisions frequently, as they are required to make decisions related to various aspects of the organization's functioning, such as setting goals, allocating resources, and solving problems. Collaboration and group decision-making are also important in organizations to ensure diverse perspectives and ideas are considered.

Question 17

Group decisions generally feature ________ acceptance than decisions made by an individual.
A)greater
B)less
C)neither greater nor less
D)more enthusiastic

Accepted Answer

Group decisions have greater acceptance compared to decisions made by an individual because there is a sense of shared responsibility and involvement in the decision-making process among the group members. This leads to a higher level of commitment to the decision made.

Question 18

Seeking the views of a diverse group of people can provide a decision maker with ________ on issues.
A)fresh perspectives
B)conventional wisdom
C)universal agreement
D)a foolproof way to get the perfect answer

Accepted Answer

Seeking the views of a diverse group of people can provide a decision maker with fresh perspectives on issues. This can lead to more creative and innovative solutions as opposed to relying solely on conventional wisdom or expecting universal agreement. However, it is important to note that this approach may not always guarantee a foolproof way to get the perfect answer.

Question 19

A manager has a choice of three bank CDs that pay different amounts of interest over different time periods.The manager is operating under which condition?
A)jeopardy
B)certainty
C)uncertainty
D)risk

Accepted Answer

B) The manager knows the exact amounts of interest that the CDs will pay over each time period, so he is operating under a condition of certainty. Risk would require the manager to need to estimate the interest that the funds would generate. Uncertainty would be a condition in which the manager could not even make good estimates for each fund. Jeopardy is not a recognized decision-making condition.

Question 20

Since all members of a group are rarely equal in status, most groups suffer from ________.
A)minority domination
B)majority domination
C)too much diversity
D)gridlock

Accepted Answer

Minority domination refers to a situation where a small group of individuals within a larger group hold a disproportionate amount of power and influence. This can lead to marginalization and exclusion of other group members, creating tension and conflict within the group. Majority domination is also a possibility, but it is less common as the majority tends to have more power and influence by default.

Quiz 4: Foundations of Decision Making

Which of the following is a primary characteristic of groupthink?

Decisions made by individuals typically suffer from suspicions that the decision maker ________.

Which of the following is NOT allowed in a brainstorming session?

Which phrase best summarizes the drawbacks of group decisions?

Which of the following is a drawback to seeking diverse views in decision making?

The eight steps of decision making ________.

A key to what is commonly used to assess risk is for a decision maker to examine the ________ an investment.

A manager wants to invest in one of three start-up companies.All three of the companies seem to have a good business plan.None of the companies has a track record.The manager is operating under which condition?

________ can cause people in a group to fail to express their true opinions.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can increase the probability of groupthink?

Which of the following is used exclusively to generate creative ideas in a group setting?

One advantage of group decision making is that it usually provides ________ than individual decision making.

Group decision making typically increases the legitimacy of a decision because the decision was made ________.

Which of the following is the most effective number of people to have in a group?

Groups decisions are usually ________ individual decisions.

Managers in organizations make group decisions ________.

Group decisions generally feature ________ acceptance than decisions made by an individual.

Seeking the views of a diverse group of people can provide a decision maker with ________ on issues.

A manager has a choice of three bank CDs that pay different amounts of interest over different time periods.The manager is operating under which condition?

Since all members of a group are rarely equal in status, most groups suffer from ________.