What is Group Think?

At the State Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging Contest, there will be a
new segment added to the competition called Group Think. The purpose of
Group Think is to help you develop the skills you will need when the decision
to be made is no longer an individual decision, but rather one that needs to
be determined by a group. In its simplest form, group decision-making can
be described in five steps:

1. Determine the issue or problem. State the facts.
2. Examine options and solutions to the problem.
3. List the personal or social goals (or criteria) bearing on the problem.
4. Evaluate the alternatives according to the goals or criteria.
5. Make a decision based on the evaluation.

When making decisions, it is important to consider and evaluate more than
one course of action. Therefore, part of the Group Think process is to develop
many options for “solving” the situation. Alternatives often include personal
values. The Group Think helps you be aware of your value preferences and
the value preferences of others. You then learn how these similarities and
differences intersect, and how the group can work to make decisions that
include the most desirable outcomes for all involved.

Group Think Structure

Teams have 10 minutes of processing time. A guideline for using this time is:
• 3 minutes to read and think through the situation or problem
• 7 minutes to discuss and begin making decisions
• It is not required, but it is often helpful to use a Product Comparison Sheet. The Product Comparison Sheet helps the team keep notes for the evaluation of the criteria vs. the suggested alternatives. It may also be helpful during the team presentation.
• In the discussion, the team should cover these five decision-making steps:

1. State the situation or problem.
2. List the alternatives found in the situation or products and add your own options as determined necessary.
3. List the criteria stated in the case study and add other criteria as determined.
4. Evaluate the alternatives based on the criteria.
5. Select the best choice(s) for the situation and explain.

• Don’t limit the ideas for solutions to just a few. Think creatively and come up with many alternatives.
• As a team, begin planning the presentation to the judge(s).
• Judges will be listening to what is said and watching the group dynamics.
• Teams will be warned when they have 2 minutes left of their discussion time.
Each team will have the opportunity to present their final statement. The presentation should be no longer than 2 minutes. The presentation should include an overview of the five decision-making steps, including the best choice or final decision.

Group Think Example Score Sheet

Team Participation (40 Points possible)

Participation: All team members are actively engaged and participate (1-10 points)
Reading: Speaking and listening skills are demonstrated by each team member (1-10 points)
Discussing: Speaking and listening skills are demonstrated by each team member (1-10 points)
Summarizing: Reaching consensus based on discussion of options and standards (1-10 points)

Team Process (60 Points possible)

Alternative Solutions: Variety of options generated (1-10 points)
Definitions: Defining terms are used make decision in terms of the best outcome for the team (1-10 points)
Solution: Conclusions reached are explained and reasonable for the solution (10-20 points)
Presentation: Total team effort is shown:
1. Every team member contributes to reach group consensus (1-10 points)
2. A clear statement of the group decision is presented to the judges (1-10 points)

For more information visit the Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging website.