reasons for group decision making
-complex problems
-greater creativity
-socialization of newcomers
-increased commitment to decisons, workgroup, and organization
downfalls
-risky shift: groups tend to make riskier or more extreme decisions
-increased potential for decision making biases
-information processing challenges
earlier information carries greater weight
anchoring bias
focusing on “readily available” information
placing greater weight on data with emotional connotations
availability heuristic
paying greater attention to information that confirms the initial position
confirmation bias
behaviors of group decision-making biases
-pressure applied to doubters
-self-censorship of doubts
-feelings of invulnerability
-rationalizing away warnings
-little attention paid to moral/ethical issues
outcomes of group decision-making biases
-few alernative considered
-minimal effort to get new information
-minimal effort at re-axamining of first choice
improving group decision making
-assign a critical evaluator to the group
-reduce hierarchy and status efffects- have leader refrain from stating opinions, especially early on
-structure time for group discussion and evaluation
-seek outside opinions
-brainstorm alternative scenarios
-hold “second chance” meetings so that members can rethink the choice
