Chapter 10: Decision Making & Leadership in Groups

Brainstorming

An idea-generating process in which group members offer whatever ideas they wish before any are debated.

Nominal group technique (NGT)

An idea-generating process in which group members generate their initial ideas silently and independently and then combine them and consider them as a group.

Ideawriting

An idea generating process in which members independently list their own ideas and then systematically evaluate one another’s ideas before they are considered by the group.

Unanimous Consensus

Uncontested support for a decision—sometimes the only option in a group’s decision-making process.

Stalemate

An outcome where members’ opinions are so sharply divided that consensus is impossible to achieve.

False Consensus

An outcome wherein some members of a group say they support the unanimous decision even though they do not.

Majority Rule

A decision-making process that follows the will of the majority.

Minority Rule

A decision-making process in which a small number of members makes a decision on behalf of the group.

Expert Opinion

Recommendations of individuals who have expertise in a particular area that are sometimes the basis of a group’s decision-making process.

Authority Rule

A decision-making process in which the leader of the group makes the decisions.

Traits

Defining characteristics of a person that are often relatively enduring and not easily changeable.

Physical Traits

The body’s physical attributes.

Psychosocial Traits

Characteristics of one’s personality and ways of relating to others.

Extroversion

A personality trait shared by people who are friendly, assertive, and outgoing with others.

Introversion

A personality trait shared by people who are shy, reserved, and aloof.

Communication Apprehension

Anxiety or fear about communicating with others.

Democratic Style

A leadership style in which every member of a group has the right to participate in decision making.

Autocratic Style

A leadership style in which leaders see themselves as having both the authority and the responsibility to take action on a group’s behalf.

Laissez-faire Style

A leadership style in which leaders offer minimal supervision.

Power

The ability to influence or control people or events.

Reward Power

A form of power based on the leader’s ability to reward another for doing what the leader says.

Coercive Power

A form of power that comes from the ability to punish.

Referent Power

A form of power that derives from attraction to the leader.

Legitimate Power

A form of power in which leaders’ status or position gives them the right to make requests with which others must comply.

Expert Power

A form of power that stems from having expertise in a particular area.

Informational Power

A form of power that stems from the ability to control access to information.

Competing Style

A style for managing conflict that represents a high concern for the self but a low concern for the other party.

Avoiding Style

A style for managing conflict that represents a low concern for both the self and the other party.

Accommodating Style

A style for managing conflict that represents a high concern for the other party but a low concern for the self.

Compromising Style

A style for managing conflict that represents a moderate concern for everyone’s needs and desires.

Collaborating Style

A style for managing conflict that represents a high concern for the self and for the other.

Groupthink

A situation in which group members seek unanimous agreement despite their individual doubts.

Which of the following describes a group idea-generating method that encourages members to generate and evaluate their ideas in writing while working independently?

ideawriting

Which of the following is not a way in which groups generate ideas and make decisions?

stalemate

Which of the following describe brainstorming?

• Its purpose is to generate better and more creative ideas.

• It involves creating a list of ideas without debating their merits.

Which of the following correctly describes the nominal group technique?

Group members generate their ideas silently and independently before combining and considering as a group.

Ideawriting is a process in which members of a group work ______, reading other members' ideas and giving feedback in writing.

independently

Which of the following are true about personal characteristics called traits?

• Traits are often not easily changeable.

• Self-esteem is a psychosocial trait.

• Leaders often share specific traits.

Which of the following cultural characteristics affect group decision making?

• individualism

• power distance

• time orientation

Which of the following are true about physical traits and leaders?

• They can be described as the body's attributes.

• They influence how effective leaders are perceived to be.

• They influence who is likely to become a leader.

According to researchers French and Raven, which of the following are forms of power that leaders may exercise?

• coercive

• reward

• legitimate

• referent

Giuseppe is on a committee to plan his company's Christmas party. He is not particularly interested in Christmas or company parties, but he likes and admires the leader of the committee. Which of the following types of power does the leader have?

referent

Which of the following statements about power is true?

No person has absolute power.

Coercive power comes from the ability to

punish

Which of the following have been identified as major strategies individuals use when they engage in conflict?

• avoiding

• competing

• accommodating

• compromising

Harriet is the peacekeeper of the group. Group members go to her if they have a problem or need help making a decision. Harriet will give up her own plans or ideas in order to help support her group members. Which conflict style is Harriet using?

accommodating

Which of the following describes the conflict style that involves a low concern for both oneself and the other party and ignores the conflict?

avoiding

Accommodating vs compromising conflict resolution styles?

accommodating prioritizes the needs and concerns of others over your own, while compromising seeks a middle ground where both parties make concessions