CMST 132 - Exam #3 STUDY GUIDE Chapter 7,8,9

Solving Problems in Groups: Advantages

-Solutions for complex problems are usually superior. - More resources including information and methods. -Members select the solutions more readily and satisfaction is higher. - Members understand the solution more completely.

Why these Myths about Conflict are untrue:

1) -Conflict can help members understand an issue more clearly. -Conflict can improve group decisions. -Conflict can increase member involvement. -Conflict can increase cohesiveness. 2) -Some conflicts occur over differences in values, goals, methods of achieving goals, and limited resources. 3)-Conflicts over basic values and goals may not be resolved. - Conflicts over limited resources and methods of achieving goals may be resolvable through communication if the basic values and goals of the parties are compatible.

Common Myths about conflict

1) Conflict is harmful and should be avoided. 2) Conflict represents a misunderstanding or breakdown in communication. 3) Conflicts can be resolved if parties are willing to discuss the issue.

(P-MOPS) Procedural Model Of Problem Solving

1) Make sure you understand the charge(groups assignment) precisely as intended. Understand the limitations placed on the area of freedom. Know when deadlines are. 2) State the problem as a single clear problem question. A well worded discussion question is essential. 3) Focus on the problem before discussing how to solve it. 4) Describe the problem thoroughly. Be sure to answer all questions about what is going on and what you hope to accomplish, as well as possible obstacles to that goal. 5)Make an outline and a schedule based on the P-MOPS. 6) Summarize the problems as a group. This ensures that you act interdependently and that everyone understands it in the same way.

Three factors groups must fulfill to solve a problem effectively.

1) Meet all five task requirements. 2) Extract and use all information relevant to the task. 3) Rename willing to evaluate decisions and make alterations.

Five characteristics that should be analyzed during problem solving.

1) Task Difficulty. 2) Solution Multiplicity. 3) Intrinsic Interest. 4) Member Familiarity. 5) Acceptance Level.

Three components that create a problem. (page 197)

1) Undesirable existing situation. 2) Desired situation or goal. 3) Obstacles to change.

Solving Problems in Groups: Disadvantages

- Groups take more time - Participation may be uneven. Some members may dominate and others with drawl. -Interpersonal tension. Disagreements about the task and conformity, pressures may interfere with critical thinking.

The Benefits of following a Systematic Procedure of Problem Solving.

- Turning to an expert or someone you see to be an authority to give you more credible information. - Solving problems on a more intuitive (instinctive) level. - Careful, critical analysis of information is important to do.

Creative Thinking 1) Brainstorming

A popular procedure designed especially to release a groups creativity, especially when they are generating ideas. Brainstorming separates idea creation from idea evaluation by not allowing any criticism to occur.

Creative Thinking 2) Synectics

A technique that stimulates thinking through metaphors and analogies. Step 1: Identify the "essense" of the problem. Step 2: Generates the one analogy (the comparison between two things) that captures the problem's essence. Step 3: Creates metaphors (ex. He is a dog.) stimulating other sensory perceptions.

Mind Mapping

A technique that tries to jolt a group out of linear ways of thinking, by encouraging the radiant thinking produced by free association. Step 1: A member puts the main idea in the center of a sheet of paper. Step 2: Each member adds branches off of that main idea, with new ideas, phrases or concepts that associate with the main idea or central concept. Result: Members can now avoid criticism that they may experience in brainstorming, and now can discuss a variety of connections they see in the web of ideas.

Nominal Group Technique

A technique which alternates between individual and group work. It helps a group hear from every member when discussing a controversial issue. It can be used by a group to help members reach a decision on a controversial issue without bitterness from a win, lose conflict.

Conflict

An expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive in compatible goals, scares resources and interference from the other party in achieving their goals.

Intrinsic Interest

Are group members really interested and excited on working with this problem? Would they rather be elsewhere than solving the issue? What is the interest level of the group.

Solution Multiplicity

Are there many possible ways to solve the groups problem or is there one correct answer? You want to make sure the group identifies as many of the solutions as possible.

Five Conflict Management Styles

Avoidance Accommodation Competition Collaboration Compromise

Online Conflict (CMC - Computer Mediated Communication) VS Face-to-Face Conflict

CMC groups displayed more relational and task conflict than FTF conflict. Both display broader task conflict. CMC groups have less social norms. CMC groups are better able to manage their conflict. CMC groups initially show an interrelationship between procedural based task conflict and relational conflict. Face-to-Face groups show a blending of procedural task conflicts.

Relational Conflict (Affective Conflict)

Conflict resulting from interpersonal clashes, likes, dislikes and competition for power. This effects the group because it focuses on the "who" in the conflict and this causes it to effect the efficiency of the group.

Collaboration

Conflict style showing a preference for working with the other to find a solution that pleases both parties. PROS: More satisfied with group outcomes than members that avoid conflict. It can also reveal styles that others miss. CONS: Often require much time and energy which groups don't always have. Example: I would accept keeping it open just until 6:30 if you could cut some money from another program.

Compromise

Conflict styles showing a preference for giving a little and gaining a little to manage the issue. PROS: May represent the best option. It is balanced and a solution appears to be fair on both sides then compromise may work well. CONS: If you know you are going to have to compromise you will be tempted to inflate your original demands. Each party does not completely receive what it wanted to begin with. Example: I understand that it's necessary to contain costs. It's also important to serve evening students. Is there some way we can provide them food service without increasing costs?

Competition

Conflict styles showing the preference for coming out ahead in the conflict at the expense of the other party. PROS: When a group is doing something you believe is harmful wrong, or goes against your values or beliefs then competition is appropriate. CONS: If one person tries to impose his or her will on a group the other members will probably fight back. They often escalate a conflict especially when people stop listening to understand each other. Example: I won't accept that! We can't let the evening students down that way. Cut something else to get the money!

Groups contribute to Creativity

Creative groups are diverse. They bring variety of skills, knowledge, problem solving approaches, and perspectives to the table. Some groups can not converge due to the diversity. For the most part group work is productive. Heterogeneous (diverse groups/ideas) groups produce more diverse ideas than homogeneity (similar)groups.

Individualism contributes to Creativity

Creative individuals tolerate ambiguity (vagueness). They are not afraid to violate societal norms and rules. They have low levels of communication apprehension (that something bad or unpleasant will happen). They don't fear reject by others, are open to new ideas and like to play and have fun. The fact that they don't fear rejection from others helps the to divergently bring forth creative ideas.

Criteria

Criteria: Statements that set standards or limits for comparing or evaluating ideas. Role in problem solving: They are virtually universal in judging among solutions. You are organizing thoughts in order to comprise the best solution possible.

Accommodation

Describing a persons willingness to engage in conflict, however she or he backs away from the conflict by giving in to appease the other party. PROS: If the issue is not crucial to you but important to the other person, then the accommodation is appropriate and it wars off conflict. CONS: Often members will give in but resent it leading to arguing in the future with the other party for no apparent reason. Example: I'd really like to keep it open, but, if there's no money, I guess there's nothing else we can do.

Creative Thinking

Fostered in small groups when members use imagination, intuition, hunches, insight and fantasy to devise unusual or innovative solutions that probably would not emerge from normal group discussions.

Task Conflict

Found in disagreements over ideas, meanings, issues and other matters relevant to the task. It effects the group because if focuses on how the group will work or accomplish goals. Often members try to resolve the conflict through forcing a vote or regulating the group work. They may use procedural conflict to steer clear of the task and interpersonal conflict.

Member Familiarity

Has the group ever confronted a similar problem? Did it solve the problem successfully? The act of pulling from past experiences through the high familiarity of the problem.

Process Conflict

Involving both tasks in relationships dimensions. Conflict over how to do something and members contribute to the group.

Acceptance Level

Is acceptance of the solution by people who will be affected by it critical for success.

Is there one best conflict management style?

No, there is no one best conflict management style. It just depends on the situations you are in.

Avoidance

Occurs when any group member chooses not to disagree or to bring up a conflicting point, thus downplaying his or her own needs and the needs of others. PROS: When groups members fight about other people in the group they tend to avoid further conflict with each other. If it is about the task group members tend to be more willing to work together. CONS: It can close down discussions thus preventing no other voices to emerge. Example: Say nothing, accepts Mary's statement, even though he disagrees.

Environmental Factors of Creativity

The environment a group or individual is in must allow them to be creative. This environment must give them autonomy (independence or freedom) and room to breath.

Divergent Thinking

The first step to creative thinking. The ideas presented during this process should vary. Members must think as differently as possible from one another so the team will have a wide variety of options from which to choose from.

Convergent Thinking

The second step to creative thinking. The act of putting together creative ideas in ways which will work. "Constructive debate" among members helps them to identify the best ideas and eliminate the less useful ideas.

Integrative Approach

To focus on helping participants integrate their goals and needs. Generally leads to better group decisions for complex tasks.

Task Difficulty

Understand how complex the issue or problem is. To solve a problem you must understand the difficulty level of the problem along with understanding the nature of the problem and do a thorough job of discovering the information.