Applied Psychology

CLASS PERFORMANCE - 2
Group Decision Making

Himanshi Lahora MA PSYCHOLOGY

223377 4th Semester
In order to address real-world issues in a variety of industries, including education,
business, health care, and social services, applied psychology is used. It entails
using psychological study and knowledge to handle problems and challenges in the
actual world. Clinical psychology, industrial-organizational psychology,
educational psychology, health psychology, forensic psychology, and sports
psychology are just a few of the many subfields and specialties within the
discipline of applied psychology.

In general, applied psychology focuses on utilizing information and abilities

derived from study to enhance the performance of both people and groups. The
design and evaluation of initiatives to lessen substance abuse, the creation of
employee training programmes to enhance job performance, the provision of
therapy to those with mental health disorders, and the creation of interventions to
encourage healthy behaviors are all examples of applied psychology in action.

Group Decision-making is a form of participative decision-making, where a group

of individuals work together to solve a problem complex in nature. The group
members try to discover and test creative alternatives to solve complicated
problems.

Group Decision-making is a form of participative decision-making, where a group

of individuals work together to solve a problem complex in nature. The group
members try to discover and test creative alternatives to solve complicated
problems.

It is a participatory process in which the group members share their Ideas,

Knowledge, Expertise and Experience. The group decisions depend upon:

❖ Maturity Rule
❖ Truths
❖ Status-Quo, etc.
In organizations, significant decisions are taken by more than one person. The
involvement of people in the process gives them a sense of ownership. However,
they also bear the risk associated with it.
Group is the number of individuals who come together and work to attain a
common objective.What is Decision-making?
It is a process of selecting the best solution to solve a critical problem.
Group Decision Making aims to:
● Gain commitment towards the decisions.
● Invest more knowledge and expertise during the process.
● Bring synergy among the group members.

Advantages of Group Decision-making

● A pool of Knowledge
Decision-making in a group involves many people during the process. This
brings more knowledge and expertise at the time of decision-making.
● Acceptance
As the decision is taken collectively, the members easily accept the
decisions.
● Variety of Alternatives
A group can generate more alternatives than individuals.
● Overall Development
 Group decision-making is an interactive process in which all members share
their skills and knowledge. Thus, it results in the overall development of the
group members.
● Diversity of Views
Different individuals possess different views towards a situation. Thus, there
is a collection of different ideas for specific problems during
decision-making.
● Balanced Decisions
Group members ascertain multiple consequences and risks associated with
the idea. Hence, results in balanced decision-making.

Disadvantages of Group Decision-making

● Dominance
The group members have to agree with one or more dominating members to
make a decision.
● Conflict
Disagreement among the group members may lead to conflict in the group.
● Time-Taking Process
It may take plenty of time if the group members cannot reach any suitable
decision.
● Pressure
The group members may feel pressure to accept the decisions taken by
others.
Techniques of Group Decision-making
Group decision-making techniques are the processes that help group leaders in idea
generation regarding a business problem. The creativity and expertise of the group
members facilitate hedging risks associated with the decision.

The techniques which one can use for group decision-making are discussed in
detail below:
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a group decision-making technique developed by Alex Osborn.
This technique aims to generate a pool of ideas in a judgment-free environment.
In this technique, the group manager clearly states the problem. The group
members are asked to generate as many ideas as possible spontaneously.
No criticism, comments, or judgements are allowed during the process. All the
ideas are recorded and evaluated by the manager later on.

Pros:
● A list of a large number of creative ideas is created.
● The process is carried out in a bias-free environment.
● It results in a low cost per idea.
● The size of the group is small, which leads to increased participation of
group members.
As there is no restriction or judgment, quality ideas are received.
The idea is acceptable to all.
Cons:
● In the end, no plan or solution is generated. Only a list of ideas is left with
the manager.
● Due to lack of closure, group members are left dissatisfied.

Delphi Technique
Delphi Technique is a group decision-making and planning process. Norman
C.Dalkey and his associates at the Rand Corporation developed this technique.
In this, we obtain judgements and solutions through group members without
physical interaction. Communication takes place through e-mails or other methods
via questionnaires.
The steps taken to perform Delphi Technique are as follows:
● Delphi Question and the first enquiry
The group coordinator sends the Delphi Question and Questionnaires to the
group members. Post this, they ask group members to share their ideas or
solutions for the given problem.
● The first response
The members write their views, ideas and possible solutions. Thereafter,
they send their answers to the group coordinator.
● Analysis of first response, feedback and second enquiry
The group coordinator collects and summarizes their responses. He prepares
another questionnaire asking for more refined solutions, clarification,
agreements & disagreements of previous ones.
● The second response
The group members again record their responses and send them to the
coordinator.
● Continuation of the process
This process continues until they reach a suitable solution.

Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

This decision-making technique doesn’t involve interaction among the group
members. The group members are present but don’t interact with each other that is
why it is called nominal.
The group members need to write their ideas without any discussion. Their
opinions are noted on a chart one by one and clarified without any criticism.

The steps involved in NGT are as follows:

1. The group members list their ideas silently.
2. Group members write their ideas on a chart until all the ideas are listed.
3. After that, the members collectively discuss the ideas without criticism.
4. In the end, collect a written vote from all the members.

Fish Bowling
Here the group members sit in a circle and one of the group members sits at the
center. Generally, the member seated in the center is the decision-maker. Besides,
he suggests solutions for the problem given by the group members.
All the members will ask questions and critically evaluate the solution suggested
by the person in the center. But, the group members cannot interact with each
other. After all the views are expressed, select the ones with conses.

Electronic Meeting
It is a blend of the NGT technique and technology. In this method, the group hosts
the meetings through an electronic medium.
The problem is shared with the group online, and the members submit their
responses through votes. However, the vote signifies agreement or disagreement
with the idea or suggestions.
Pros:
● The group members can be honest without any pressure.
● It is a less time-consuming process.
Cons:
● The members with good typing speed can excel compared to those with low
or average typing speed.
● Excellent ideas are not recognized.

Devil's Advocacy
This technique identifies the flaws during the group decision-making process. The
benefit of this technique is that it highlights every possible loophole in the solution.
It is a technique where two group members are appointed as ‘devils‘. These devils
have to identify flaws in the ideas suggested by the group members. The other
members have to satisfy these devils with solutions.

Didactic-Interaction
This technique is useful when the answer is to be drawn in Yes or No. Here we
divide the entire group into two parts. One part suggests points favoring the
decision and the other part presents points against the decision.

The steps involved in Didactic Interaction are as follows:

1. The process begins with defining the problem/issue for which we need to
take a Yes or No decision.
2. Then divide the group into two parts, one favoring Yes and the other
favoring No.
3. The groups support their side of the decision while discussing.
4. Then they inter-change their sides and continue the discussion. That is to
say, the members in favor of No will support the Yes ones and vice versa.
5. Mutual acceptance of both parties obtains the result of the discussion.