Explain the five advantages of using a group to make a decision.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Student answers will vary, but should demonstrate accurate knowledge about group decision making. Using groups to make a decision offers at least five potential advantages: 1) More information is available when several people are making the decision. If one member does not have all the facts or needed expertise, another member might. 2) A greater number of perspectives on the issues, or different approaches to solving the problem, are available. The problem may be new to one group member but familiar to another. Or the group may need to consider other viewpoints-financial, legal, marketing, human resources, and so on-to achieve an optimal solution. 3) Group discussion provides an opportunity for intellectual stimulation. It can get people thinking and unleash their creativity to a far greater extent than would be possible with individual decision making. 4) People who participate in a group discussion are more likely to understand why the decision was made. They will have heard the relevant arguments both for the chosen alternative and against the rejected alternatives. 5) Group discussion typically leads to a higher level of commitment to the decision. Buying into the proposed solution translates into high motivation to ensure that it is executed well.