Chapter 10: Making Decisions and Solving Problems

What are 2 tensions for conversation according to the dialectical theory?

"sense of stability" vs. "new ideas and procedures"

What 3 components go into the TIP theory?

(T) time (I) interaction (P) performance

Explain the Spiraling Model

Groups may not march through four phases but rather cycle, or spiral, through them throughout the group or team's development

Almost every problem can be phrased in terms of what?

something you want more of or less of

Explain the dialectical theory.

suggests that during communication there are often competing tensions pulling the conversation into multiple directions.

Explain the orientation phase.

suggests that group members' communication is directed at orienting themselves toward others as well as to the group's tasks

The functional approach identifies _____ that should be performed to enhance the group's effectiveness.

tasks

Research has found that groups do seem to exhibit spiraling tendencies, but not all groups behave in quiet the same way, thus confirming what?

the challenge of formulating tidy descriptions of how groups do their work

Define the bona fide perspective on groups.

the context for and boundaries of the groups in which we participate move and change

Define secondary tension

the jockeying for leadership, power, and position in a group

Define ambiguity.

the means by which individual group members can comfortably shift their position toward group consensus

Define decision making.

the process of choosing from among several alternatives

What are the 3 types of task-process activities

1. activities that focus on the problem 2. activities that serve executive functions (such as keeping the discussion oriented and on task) 3. solution activities

What 3 elements make up a problem?

1. an undesirable existing situation 2. a goal a group wishes to achieve 3. obstacles that keep a group from achieving its goal

What are the 3 steps to get the best results when solving a problem?

1. analyze the problem 2. establish criteria 3. evaluate the potential negative consequences of possible solutions

What does the functional approach assume?

Groups are goal-oriented and that to accomplish the group goal, certain activities or communication functions need to be performed

What are the 7 methods of group decision making?

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

What are 2 questions to consider when making a decision?

1. Is the decision a routine decision or an unusual decision? 2. Have you or others made decisions in the past similar to the one you now face?

What are the 5 key functions that are required to develop a high quality solution?

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

What 6 strategies help bridge cultural differences?

1. develop mindfulness 2. be flexible 3. tolerate uncertainty and ambiguity 4. resist stereotyping and making negative judgments about others 5. ask questions 6. be other-oriented

What are the 4 types of relational activities?

1. discussion about work-focused relationship 2. discussion that manages conflict 3. integration talk (connecting ideas) 4. discussion about ambiguous relationships (uncertainty about relationships)

What are 6 obstacles to quality group decision making?

1. failure to analyze the present situation accurately 2. failure to establish a clear and appropriate goal 3. failure to identify the position and negative consequences of the alternatives 4. group has bad information 5. group does not think critically about the data it has 6. too few people re involved in the discussion

What are the 2 assumptions underlying the prescriptive approach to problem-solving?

1. group members are consistently rational 2. the prescribed agenda or set of techniques will result in a better solution

In terms of barriers to group and team problem solving, what are 5 examples where there is there a lack of something?

1. lack of structure 2. lack of cultural sensitivity 3. lack of planning 4. lack of resources 5. lack of problem-solving skills

Problems often can be boiled down to lack of what such 3 things?

1. lack of time 2. lack of money 3. lack of agreement

What are the 4 functions essential for an effective problem-solving group?

1. network with others within and outside the group to gather effective information 2. acquire the skill of data splitting - analyzing information effectively 3. generate and evaluate solutions 4. manage their relationships effectively by means of listening, feedback, and negotiation skill

What are the 4 phases in groups in the descriptive approach?

1. orientation 2. conflict 3. emergence 4. reinforcement

Group decision making includes what 5 steps?

1. the group assesses the present situation 2. the group identifies its goals 3. the group identifies several alternatives 4. the group evaluates the positives and negative consequences of alternatives 5. the group selects the alternative (make a decision)

What are the 2 assumptions of the descriptive approach?

1. there is a "natural", or normal, process of group problem solving 2. a group will follow a normal problem-solving approach unless some external authority interferes with its freedom to solve its problem

Within the personal sensitivity function (successful group members are other oriented, empathetic, sensitive to the needs of others, and thoughtful listeners) what are 2 specific communication functions that are considered essential to effective problem solving?

1. they are concerned for both the group task and the feelings of others 2. they listen to minority arguments and opinions

Within the analysis function (group members who effectively analyze information and ideas do several things) what are the 5 specific communication functions are considered essential to effective problem solving?

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

Within the evaluation function (being able to separate good ideas from bad ideas is a critical function of group members who are good problem solvers) what are 3 specific communication functions that are considered essential to effective problem solving?

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

Within the idea-generation function (an essential aspect of a well-functioning problem-solving group is group members who are creative and inventive, who find ways to keep ideas flowing) what are the 3 specific communication functions that are considered essential to effective problem solving?

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

What are the 3 ways to reach high-quality decisions?

1. use clear criteria 2. focus on finding high-quality, useful information directly related to the issue at hand 3. break up big issues into smaller, more manageable issues to discuss

In terms of barriers to group and team problem solving, what are 5 others examples?

1. wrong people present 2. time pressure 3. poor communication 4. unsupportive social climate 5. negative attitudes

Define supermajority decision.

2/3 of the group or team

Explain the Punctuated Equilibrium Model

3 phases of different types of inertia

Explain the emergence phase

although conflict remains, the way in which members deal with conflict by means of the reappearance of ambiguity in task related statements

Explain the conflict phase

characterized by persuasive attempts at changing others' opinions and reinforcing one's own position

Explain focus activities.

deal with the "general themes, major issues, or arguments of concern to the group at a given point in the discussion

A descriptive approach to group problem solving identifies how groups _____ solve problems, not just how they _____ solve problems.

do; should

What does the functional approach to group problem solving do?

emphasizes that members of effective groups perform certain task requirements (functions) when they communicate with one another.

Define vigilant thinkers.

group communicators who incorporate these 5 key functions into their interactions with others

Explain the multisequence model.

groups and teams may be doing several things at once rather than cycling though predictable phases

Define activity tracks.

groups engage in three types of this that do not necessarily follow logical step-by-step patterns

Explain task-process activities.

help the group accomplish its work, such as analyzing a problem, becoming oriented to the components of a problem, establishing criteria, and evaluating proposed solutions.

The descriptive approach to group problem solving and decision making helps a group understand ____ groups usually solve problems.

how

Explain the functional approach to problem solving

identifies key task requirements and stresses the importance of effective communication as major factors that contribute to effective problem solving

Explain the prescriptive approach to problem solving

identifies specific agendas and techniques to improve group problem-solving performance.

Explain the descriptive approach to problem solving.

identifies the typical patterns of communication that occur when people interact to solve problems

Explain relational activities.

manage relationships and help maintain the group climate; communication behaviors that sustain or damage interpersonal relationships among group members

Define breakpoint.

midway through the group's deliberation, a revolutionary transition, punctuates the seeming equilibrium, and "nothing happening" changes to "something happening".

Define primary tension.

occurs when group members are uncertain how to behave and feel somewhat awkward about what to do or say

Explain the prescriptive approach.

offers specific dos and don'ts for structuring a group's problem-solving agenda.

Explain the reinforcement

predominates in communication; a spirit of unity and positive feelings toward the group and its decisions; genuine sense of accomplishment

Define problem solving.

process of overcoming obstacles to achieve a goal; usually requires a group to make many decisions or choices as it identifies a problem and determines how to solve it

The prescriptive approach offers specific _____ for sequencing certain types of communication in a group.

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