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Chapter 20—Functional Perspective on Group Decision Making

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Title:
Apollo 13
Claim:
Promotive statements move a group toward their goal, disruptive messages move away from the goal, and counteractive messages get the group back on track.
Application:
This scene is a classic example for group communication theory. After an explosion strands the astronauts in space, workers at mission control deliberate how to get them home. Which of the four functions do you see here? And how would you classify each message as promotive, disruptive, or counteractive, and why?
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLMDSjCzEx8&t=33s
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
The Martian
Claim:
More research is needed to understand how decisions are made in bona fide (i.e., real-life) groups.
Application:
The Martian is a science fiction story about an astronaut stranded on Mars. In this scene, characters on Earth consider how to get him home. As they deliberate their options, you can likely spot the four functions. But what do you make of how the final decision is made? The tension and disagreement at the end highlight how the functional perspective says little about how an option is chosen and how that may be a tricky thing in bona fide groups with history, interpersonal relationships, and power dynamics.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0WcQaZ_nl0
Cue Point:
"Project Elrond" scene
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
Big Bang Theory, S2, E14, "The Financial Permeability"
Claim:
Groups can maximize their likelihood of making a high-quality decision when they perform the four requisite functions.
Application:
The group is deciding where and when to see the movie, and as they do, you should be able to spot the four functions (except perhaps analysis of the problem--we can assume that happened before the scene starts). Their final solution is unorthodox, but even Sheldon has to admit that the group's analysis led to that conclusion.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPZRtlqBgYk&t=5s
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
Parks and Recreation, S2, E23, "The Master Plan"
Claim:
Analysis of the problem is the function of determining the nature, extent, and cause(s) of the problem facing the group.
Application:
Chris and Ben come to the Pawnee Parks & Recreation Department with the goal of auditing the department and cutting the budget. But, their analysis of the problem is quite different. How does Chris analyze the problem, and how does that contrast with Ben's analysis of the problem? Does that differ from Leslie's analysis, and from Ron's? How do their different analyses shape their communication as they begin to move on to the functions of identification of alternatives and evaluating those alternatives?
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2MoY0isxS0
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
Black-ish, S7, E15, "Jack's First Stand"
Claim:
Groups can maximize their likelihood of making a high-quality decision when they perform the four requisite functions. Disruptive messages move the group away from the goal.
Application:
When Dre tells his coworkers about his son's decision to become vegan, a lively discussion ensues. How do they analyze the problem? What alternatives do they identify? Do they spend sufficient time setting goals or evaluating the positive and negative characteristics of the alternatives? The clip also contains several examples of disruptive communication, in the form of side comments that might generate a laugh from the show's audience but don't move the goal toward solving the problem.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPjboagJAD0
Cue Point:
In the YouTube link, 0:00-2:40
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay -- Part 2
Claim:
Of the four functions, evaluation of negative consequences of alternative solutions is by far the most crucial to ensure a quality decision.
Application:
"SPOILER WARNING: This scene is late in the saga, so you may want to avoid it if you haven't seen the movies or read the books. Near the end of the final movie, President Coin makes a startling proposal: Holding a 'symbolic' hunger games, featuring the children of Panem's former leadership. She spends some time analyzing the problem, but skips over goal setting. Although a few characters offer brief evaluations of positive or negative characteristics of her idea, Coin does not brainstorm alternatives, and her push for a quick decision removes any opportunity for further performance of the poor functions. To see why this ends up being a bad idea for her, read the end of the book or watch the end of the movie."
Cue Point:
Debate scene with President Coin, near the end of the film
Discovered  By:
Andrew

Title:
"You Belong With Me", Taylor Swift, Fearless
Claim:
Four requisite functions enhance the likelihood that a group will arrive at a good decision.
Application:
Did you realize this classic song is about decision making? The girl in the song has analyzed the problem: her male friend is in an unsatisfying romantic relationship. And she’s identified two alternatives: he can stay with his current girlfriend, or ditch her for a relationship with the singing girl. As for goal setting, the singer lists several criteria, from music tastes to dress to sense of humor. If only he’d follow the four functions, she thinks he’d realize his best and most reasonable choice.
Link:
https://open.spotify.com/track/1qrpoAMXodY6895hGKoUpA?si=mpuklwZQQVWTZa5_eFsgyg&utm_source=copy-link
Discovered  By:
Andrew

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