Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is true of group decision-making?

1. Decision-making is faster.

2. Acceptance of decisions is higher.

3. Groupthink leads to higher-quality decisions.

4. Diffusion of responsibility can be avoided.

The correct answer is: Acceptance of decisions is higher.

In group decision-making, one of the key advantages is that the acceptance of decisions is typically higher when made collectively. This occurs because group members feel a sense of ownership and involvement in the decision-making process, which can lead to greater commitment to the outcome. When individuals participate in discussions and influence the final decision, they are more likely to support and implement the decision, thereby enhancing the likelihood of successful execution. Diving into the dynamics of decision-making, the other answer choices highlight aspects that do not accurately reflect the inherent characteristics of group decisions. For instance, group decision-making is often characterized by longer deliberation time due to the necessity of consensus and the involvement of multiple perspectives, making the process generally slower rather than faster. Additionally, groupthink can negatively impact the quality of decisions by promoting conformity and suppressing dissent, thus leading to poorer outcomes rather than improved quality. Lastly, the phenomenon of diffusion of responsibility often occurs in groups, where individuals may feel less accountable for the decision, rather than avoiding it. Each of these factors illustrates why option B stands out as the most accurate representation of the nature of group decision-making.