Conference techniques

Discussion Questions

Coping with information overload, information underload, and mindsets can be difficult. Confirmation bias is a particular mindset that describes a strong tendency to seek information that confirms our beliefs and attitudes and to ignore information that contradicts them. Consider how each of these types of problem has occurred in your own life.

Please respond to all of the following prompts:

• Describe two ways you receive information on a daily basis that were not available a decade ago. How can they result in defective problem solving?
• Describe a time when you did not have enough information to make a proper decision. What did you do?
• Describe a situation when you or someone you know made an improper decision due to confirmation bias. What might have improved the situation?

Essay 1

Group Decision Making

The decision-making process can be hindered when one values the group to which he belongs and does not want to risk his membership. It can also be hindered when incorrect inferences are made. Bad decisions can result from inferential error, group polarization and groupthink. In this assignment, you will explore the cause and effect of excessive cohesiveness in a group.

Your assignment is to write a 2 page paper that answers the following questions:

• What is collective inferential error? Name two examples. How does it affect the decisions a group must make?
• What causes group polarization? What causes groupthink?
• What negative consequences to group decision making emerge from group polarization?
• If cohesiveness is a positive small group attribute, why can it lead to groupthink?

Essay 2

Problem Solving

Knowing where to find appropriate information is helpful, but group members must also evaluate information to avoid basing group decisions on faulty information. In this assignment, you will explore how to gather quality information and solve problems creatively.

Your assignment is to write a 2 page paper answering the following:

• How might knowledge be devalued by inaccurate information? How can group members ensure the accuracy of their information?
• How do imagination and knowledge relate to creative problem solving?
• What makes the brainstorming technique an effective and creative problem-solving tool?
• Describe another technique for creative group problem solving. Provide an example.