Question 1

Traditional police training methods that are limited to knowledge and skill development may actually inhibit the development of the problem-solving abilities necessary in police work.

Accepted Answer

Traditional police training methods may focus too much on knowledge and skills, and not enough on developing problem-solving abilities which are essential in real-world situations. This can lead to a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, and hinder effective policing.

Question 2

Ethical decision making and problem solving skills:

Accepted Answer

Ethical decision making and problem solving skills are essential in all aspects of personal and professional life. They help with identifying problems, coming up with situational strategies, developing multiple course of actions, selecting the best course of action, implementing the chosen course of action, and evaluating the impact. These skills also assist with self-management, crisis management, conflict de-escalation, and resolution. Therefore, the correct answer is E, all of the above.

Question 3

_____ utilize(s) a comprehensive planning process to move a situation from an unsatisfactory to a desirable condition.

Accepted Answer

While all of these options are typically involved in a comprehensive planning process, problem solving is the most central to moving a situation from unsatisfactory to desirable. Analysis, decision-making, and solution implementation are all important components, but they are ultimately in service of identifying and resolving the underlying problem.

Question 4

To be effective, responses (solutions) to a problem must impact all three sides of the problem analysis triangle.

Accepted Answer

Effective solutions can target one or more sides of the problem analysis triangle, not necessarily all three simultaneously. The triangle often includes elements such as the offender, the victim, and the location; addressing any one of these can potentially mitigate the problem.

Question 5

Although analysis lies at the heart of the problem-solving process, it is probably the most difficult step in the SARA model.

Accepted Answer

Analysis requires a thorough examination of the problem and its underlying causes, which can be complex and time-consuming. Therefore, it is typically considered the most challenging stage of the SARA model.

Question 6

The Delphi Technique is a method for collecting and organizing knowledge and opinion on a subject in an effort to produce a group consensus.

Accepted Answer

The definition provided accurately describes the Delphi Technique.

Question 7

When involvement of a group is appropriate, the synergistic effect of group problem solving often leads to better results than does problem solving by an individual.

Accepted Answer

The involvement of a group in problem solving can lead to a synergistic effect, where the combined efforts and perspectives of the group members can result in better solutions than those created by an individual. This is why group problem solving is often appropriate in certain situations.

Question 8

An assessment (evaluation) should not be conducted until all aspects of response implementation are complete.

Accepted Answer

An assessment (evaluation) can and should be conducted during the response and recovery process to identify areas where improvements can be made and adjust strategies as needed. It is not necessary to wait until all aspects of the response implementation are complete before conducting an evaluation.

Question 9

Ethical decision-making techniques can assist with the development of an ethical solution.One of these techniques, namely, _____, includes a projection of the potential and probable consequences of any decision.

Accepted Answer

The technique mentioned in the question, which involves projecting the potential consequences of a decision, is known as consequentialist thinking. The principle of benefit maximization is one type of consequentialist thinking, as it involves choosing the option that produces the greatest net benefit or the least net harm. Therefore, option B is the best choice for this question. Options A, C, D, and E are all ethical decision-making techniques, but they do not specifically involve projecting potential consequences as a central aspect of the process.

Question 10

Consensus is achieved when a majority of the members of a group formulate, support, and agree on a decision.

Accepted Answer

Consensus is achieved when all members of a group support and agree on a decision, not just a majority.

Question 11

Standards (tangible or intangible) are units of measurement that serve as reference points for assessing (evaluating) results.

Accepted Answer

Standards are indeed units of measurement that serve as reference points for assessing and evaluating results. They can be tangible or intangible and are used in various fields such as business, education, healthcare, and more. Examples of tangible standards include weights and measures, while intangible standards can be quality criteria, ethical principles, or best practices.

Question 12

The initial step to response (solution) implementation is to communicate the need for change to those who might be affected by the response.

Accepted Answer

It is important to communicate any proposed changes or solutions to those who will be impacted by them in order to gain their support and cooperation. This can help to prevent resistance and increase the likelihood of successful implementation.

Question 13

As a form of community mapping, geographic information system (GIS) technology can be used to map and display reported crime and predict future occurrences within a community.

Accepted Answer

Geographic information system (GIS) technology can be used to map and display reported crime and predict future occurrences within a community, making it a useful tool for community mapping.

Question 14

Community problem solving is consistent with traditional incident-driven policing.

Accepted Answer

Community problem solving differs from traditional incident-driven policing as it focuses on proactive problem-solving with input from community members, whereas incident-driven policing is reactive and focused on identifying and responding to individual incidents.

Question 15

In the best case scenario, group problem solving is accomplished through consensus building.

Accepted Answer

Consensus building involves reaching an agreement that works for everyone in the group. It is the best case scenario for group problem solving because it ensures that everyone's opinions and ideas are considered and the group works towards a common goal.

Question 16

When a police officer is confronted with an ethical dilemma, decision-making is difficult because any decision associated with the dilemma results in negative rather than positive consequences.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a police officer is confronted with...

Question 17

A community problem should be analyzed from the perspective of a city or county so a solution can be applied across a broad geographic area.

Accepted Answer

Analyzing a community problem from a city or county perspective may overlook specific local nuances and needs, leading to solutions that are not effective for all areas within the broader region.

Question 18

Quality assurance initiatives can change peoples' attitudes easily because concrete evidence of the benefits of the initiative appear quickly.

Accepted Answer

Changing people's attitudes is often a complex and gradual process that cannot be achieved easily or quickly. While quality assurance initiatives can produce measurable improvements in the quality of goods or services, it may take time to influence people's perceptions and behaviors. Additionally, some people may resist or reject the changes brought about by quality assurance initiatives, which can further complicate efforts to change attitudes.

Question 19

The key to problem solving in a community policing environment involves an analytical inquiry into the problem before devising solutions to the problem.

Accepted Answer

In community policing, problem solving involves a thorough analysis of the problem before developing and implementing solutions. This approach helps to ensure that the solutions are tailored to the specific problem and are more likely to be effective in addressing the underlying causes of the problem.

Question 20

The failure of a response (solution) to achieve desirable results is usually indicative of negligence or low productivity on the part of those responsible for implementing the response.

Accepted Answer

The failure of a response to achieve desirable results can be due to a variety of factors including unforeseen circumstances, external influences, complexity of the problem, or insufficient resources, not necessarily negligence or low productivity.

Quiz 8: Ethical Decision Making and Problem Solving