96 - Group Decision Making Can be Faulty

96 - Group Decision Making Can be Faulty

Dangers of Group Thinking

• People often listen to preferences and opinions of other members over relevant information to making decisions.
• Less capable members of a group are often not ignored or corrected when perhaps they should be. Groups are willing to make poorer decisions as a whole, rather than confronting or correcting a member's less capable decision-making skills.
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Two People Can be Better Than One

• There are some instances where two minds are better than one.
• ex. Referees making a call on a play. Their two perspectives combined can provide a better and more accurate call for the game.
• If a pair feels freedom to discuss views and disagreements, they make better decisions than individuals.
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Making Group Thinking Better

• Allow individuals to form complete opinions and thoughts before jumping into group decisions and discussions.
• Allow enough time for talking about disagreements.
• Have people rate their confidence in their decisions before they share with the group.
• Consider relevant information before hearing other members opinions and preferences