Conformity and Group Decisions
Social groups vary in size, purpose, and goals. While some groups form spontaneously, such as a group of friends, others form for a specific purpose. A common group function is that of making decisions to which the group is bound.This paper will examine the group decision-making process and the role of personal conformity leading to the decisions made. It will also discuss the impact of consensus-based decisions on a group as a whole, on individuals within a group, and on the unintended negative impacts of group decisions on people outside the group.Group decision-making has up to four general phases. The first phase is problem identification. Once identified, the group assesses candidate solutions. Ideally, this phase should include interactive solicitation of different viewpoints among group members. If all members are in agreement, the decision is unanimous, and the group goes forward with the decision. If not, the decision is most often made and implemented in accordance with previously agreed to rules. The fourth step, if necessary, is to restore group harmony between the majority and the dissenters.Personal conformity plays a vital role in leading groups to consensus-based decisions. In chapter-7 we learn that a diffe
I was miserable throughout the whole party. Moreover, it was inevitable that I confess due to the wrecked house. In the end, if I made the decision as an individual instead of as a group, I would have been better off. At times, it is important to analyze the underlying cause for group conformity, how decisions come about as a group effort, and what are both the positive and negative drivers behind the decision. Most people appear to conform to norms without much thought as to why. Of course, my friends were all happy that I threw the party, but I knew my parents would be disappointed. It is bad enough if a decision made by a group of which one is a member has an unintended negative impact on an outside group, it is worse when one goes along with the decision only because of social pressures. All I could think about was- what are my parents going to say when they find out. Group decisions are not always right. This dynamic offers protection to the individual, but does not always work. The individual must evaluate their personal convictions against remaining a member of a group and ask if the received reward outweighs the possibility of a negative outcome. It seems the pressures to act as other people, sometimes despite one's true feelings and desires, are a common everyday occurrence. Another factor that leads to group decision conformity is that of reducing individual risk. It follows that group norms influence the decision-making process. A positive self-image gained as a member of the in-group could be lost when not in step with other group members.
Common topics in this essay:
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Amy Kristi,
decision-making process,
people outside,
attitudes opinions behaviors,
consensus-based decisions,
personal conformity,
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unintended negative,
attitudes opinions,
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