Problem-Solving and Decision-Making in Groups
Read this section to learn about common components/characteristics of problems and the five steps in group problem-solving. This article also describes the brainstorming and discussion that should occur before group decision-making, compares and contrasts decision-making techniques, and discusses various influences on decision-making.
Cultural Context and Decision Making
Just like
neighborhoods, schools, and countries, small groups vary in terms of
their degree of similarity and difference. Demographic changes in the
United States and increases in technology that can bring different
people together make it more likely that we will be interacting in more
and more heterogeneous groups. Some small groups are more homogenous, meaning the members are more
similar, and some are more heterogeneous, meaning the members are more
different. Diversity and difference within groups has advantages and
disadvantages. In terms of advantages, research finds that, in general,
groups that are culturally heterogeneous have better overall performance
than more homogenous groups. Additionally, when group members have time
to get to know each other and competently communicate across their
differences, the advantages of diversity include better decision making
due to different perspectives. Unfortunately,
groups often operate under time constraints and other pressures that
make the possibility for intercultural dialogue and understanding
difficult. The main disadvantage of heterogeneous groups is the
possibility for conflict, but given that all groups experience conflict,
this isn't solely due to the presence of diversity. We will now look
more specifically at how some of the cultural value orientations we've
learned about already in this book can play out in groups with
international diversity and how domestic diversity in terms of
demographics can also influence group decision making.