FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON GROUP DECISION

MAKINGObjective

4 REQUISITE FUNCTIONS 1. Problem Analysis 2. Goal Setting 3. Identification of Alternatives 4. Evaluation of Positive and Negative

Consequences

PROBLEM ANALYSIS Determine why the problem is effecting

the group Determine the cause of the problem

Ex) The players and the owners in the NFL decided that the terms of their contracts were not acceptable, and they needed to come up with a solution to save next season.

GOAL SETTING The group must determine what would

be acceptable and what would not be You need to be able to judge the

outcome, so having a goal gives you something to shoot for

Ex) The players want to keep the current agreement, but the owners want more revenue and an 18 game regular season

IDENTIFICATION OF ALTERNATIVES The group comes up with multiple

options for a solution With multiple solutions side by side it

lets you compare them and not make rash decisions

Ex) The NFL Players offered multiple revisions to the offer and the owners would not budge which created tension so…

INSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE An institutional perspective is an

outside, unbiased opinion This person needs to be completely

unattached to the situation

Ex) A federal mediator was called in to determine what was fair and unfair during the hearings

EVALUATION OF POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES Determine the benefits of a possible

solution Also point out its flaws against a perfect

outcome The negative side is the most important

part of the problem solving processEx) There is still no outcome in the case

between the NFL and owners, but the negative outcome would be no football in 2011

12 Angry Men

A movie about 12 men who are put together to make a decision about a murder case.