group think

Examples of group think in the following topics:

• Reflective Thinking

  • Reflective thinking about group work allows students to evaluate both successes and failures of the project and work towards improvement.
  • Using reflective thinking in a group setting can allow for intellectual decisions based on defining a problem and using concepts based in logic to select the best solution.
  • What did the group do well?
  • Was our group successful?
  • Reflective thinking is an excellent tool for identifying positive and negative aspects of a group work experience.

• Introduction to bottom-up approaches

  • In a sense, all networks are composed of groups (or sub-graphs).
  • When two actors have a tie, they form a "group."
  • One approach to thinking about the group structure of a network begins with this most basic group, and seeks to see how far this kind of close relationship can be extended.
  • This is a useful way of thinking, because sometimes more complex social structures evolve, or emerge, from very simple ones.
  • We will turn our attention first to "bottom-up" thinking.

• Social Identity Theory

  • That is, sometimes we think of ourselves as "us" vs.
  • "they", and at other times we think of ourselves as "I" vs.
  • In other words, sometimes we think of ourselves as group members and at other times we think of ourselves as unique individuals.
  • What is crucial for our purposes is that thinking of yourself as a group member and thinking of yourself as a unique individual are both parts of your self-concept.
  • Thinking about individuals in one's outgroup in such a fashion allows the individual to believe that the enemy is deserving of death by dehumanizing them (more on this below).

• Policy Making and Special Interests

  • Many different types of groups attempt to influence United States policy.
  • For instance, certain demographic groups may favor policies that benefit them the most.
  • Other groups may create formal institutions, known as think tanks, to advance their cause.
  • Foreign governments can also behave as interest groups when it comes to U.S. foreign policy.
  • Because of the wide variety of special interest groups, conflict between groups on an issue is common.

• Critical Thinking

  • The essential skill of critical thinking will go a long way in helping one to develop statistical literacy.
  • The essential skill of critical thinking will go a long way in helping one to develop statistical literacy.
  • There is a reasonable level of consensus that an individual or group engaged in strong critical thinking gives due consideration to establish:
  • Critical thinking is an inherent part of data analysis and statistical literacy.
  • Interpret the role that the process of critical thinking plays in statistical literacy.

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Group Decision Making

  • Group decision making can lead to improved outcomes, but only if a variety of conditions pertaining to group chemistry are satisfied.
  • Group decisions are subject to factors such as social influence, including peer pressure, and group dynamics.
  • The sharing of information among group members is another advantage of the group decision-making process.
  • Group decisions take into account a broader scope of information since each group member may contribute unique information and expertise.
  • Loyalty to the group requires individuals to avoid raising controversial issues or alternative solutions, and there is a loss of individual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking.

• Group Conflict as a Barrier to Decision Making

  • Group dynamics, which involves the influence of social behavior, is the primary determining factor in the success of group outcomes.
  • Group cohesion, or positive feelings between individuals and productive working relationships, contributes to effective group decision making.
  • Loyalty to the group requires individuals to avoid raising controversial issues or alternative solutions, and there is a loss of individual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking.
  • Each member should discuss the group's ideas with trusted people outside of the group.
  • The group should invite outside experts into meetings.

• Listening and Critical Thinking

  • Critical thinking skills are essential and connected to the ability to listen effectively and process the information that one hears.
  • Critical thinking has many practical applications, such as formulating a workable solution to a complex personal problem, deliberating in a group setting about what course of action to take, or analyzing the assumptions and methods used in arriving at a scientific hypothesis.
  • People use critical thinking to solve complex math problems or compare prices at the grocery store.
  • Critical thinking is imperative to effective communication, and thus, public speaking.
  • Therefore, critical thinkers must engage in highly active listening to further their critical thinking skills.

• Differences Between Groups and Teams

  • All teams are groups of individuals, but not all groups are teams.
  • While all teams are groups of individuals, not all groups are teams.
  • Groups can range greatly in size and scope.
  • Groups can exist as a matter of fact; for example, a group can be comprised of people of the same race or ethnic background.
  • While such meetings typically have an agenda and thus a purpose and some structure, we would not necessarily think of those in attendance as a team.

• Statistical Literacy

  • Two groups of rats were tested.
  • Both groups were injected with chemicals known to increase the chance of liver cancer.
  • The experimental group was fed saffron (n = 24) whereas the control group was not (n = 8).
  • Only 4 of the 24 subjects in the saffron group developed cancer as compared to 6 of the 8 subjects in the control group.
  • What method could be used to test whether this difference between the experimental and control groups is statistically significant?