EVERYONE VOTED NOT GUILTY
This is a group activity. For more information on groups, please see .
Examine the results of the jury’s decision to convict or acquit and consider the process and the reasoning you and your colleagues gave for their votes. Reflect, too, on what you have learned about groupthink from the course materials and readings. Write a post that reflects on the deliberation and considers the wider implications of groupthink for society. Consider: To what extent was the verdict in this case an example of groupthink? Where else do you see groupthink in our society? What implications does groupthink have for social welfare and social change?
PSY 530 Groupthink Activity Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The groupthink activity provides you the opportunity to work with a simulated murder case to consider how groupthink may impact group decisions. You will then extend your thinking to consider the connection between the concept of groupthink and social welfare.
Prompt
A major movie star, Reginald Chase, is on trial for the murder of his ex-wife, media personality Lucerne Ludlow. You and your group are the jury assigned to this case. Everyone on the jury is somewhat familiar with the celebrities, but no one on the jury comes to the trial with knowledge of all the particulars of the case. In the , you will find the list of facts and evidence developed during the trial that you have been instructed to consult to reach your collective verdict. Ultimately, you will be submitting two posts in the group discussion area and two votes using the Initial Vote and Final Vote survey tool.
NOTE: The second post should contain relevant information from the readings and should end with a reference list. Finally, for your second post, you will relate this activity to the readings on groupthink and expand your thinking on groupthink in a groupthink analysis. NOTE: This post is due in Module Seven.
- Examine the results of the jury’s decision to convict or acquit and consider the process and the reasoning you and your colleagues gave for your votes.
- Reflect, too, on what you have learned about groupthink from the course materials and readings.
- Write a post that reflects on the deliberation and considers the wider implications of groupthink for society.
- Consider and respond to: To what extent was the verdict in this case an example of “groupthink?” Was your final vote influenced at all by groupthink? If so, how? Where else do you see groupthink in our society? What implications does groupthink have for social welfare and social change?
- Cite your sources in the text of the document and in a reference list using APA style.
Introduction
This course includes group work. Your instructor will assign you to a group before your first group activity. Once you’ve been assigned to a group, you’ll find a list of your group members under Tools -> Groups in the course top navigation.
Why Group Work?
Practically all jobs and roles require working with others. Working with a team helps consider different viewpoints and take advantage of diverse backgrounds, which can ensure a stronger end product. It also boosts your collaboration skills, time management, as well as persuasive skills. Group work often also includes discussions, where you’ll participate in a smaller discussion with just your team members. This helps everyone participate in the conversation, respond to their team members, and contribute to the project.
Tips for Success
- First, create group guidelines. Get to know each other, your strengths, and your preferred ways of working.
- Set clear goals.
- Make a plan for the assignment and divide work among team members or subgroups.
- Help each other stay accountable by ensuring everyone contributes.
- Consider a timeline to keep track of the projects tasks and when theyre due.
- Agree on deadlines with all group members.
- Share resources, knowledge, and information.
- Be positive. Even with differing opinions, openly sharing thoughts, feelings, and ideas is a must for successful group work. Constructive feedback is the best feedback.
- Stay self-aware. Your productivity and effort are an important part of your group’s success.
- Major movie star Reginald Chase is on trial for the murder of his ex-wife, media personality Lucerne Ludlow. You and your group (Group A or Group B) are the jury assigned to this case. You and the other members of the jury are somewhat familiar with who these celebrities are, but you are not familiar with the details of the case. (In order to qualify for a jury, jurors must not come to a trial knowing the particulars of the case.)
- There are three parts to this activity:
1. Initial Vote and Reasons. Your group’s discussion area is your deliberation room. Each of you should submit a post stating your reasons for convicting or acquitting Reginald by Thursday at 11:59 P.M. You should also submit a vote to your groups Initial Vote survey by this time.
2. Further Reflection and Final Vote. Between Thursday and Sunday, you should take care to review all your fellow jurors’ posts and weigh them in your mind. You can take your colleagues’ opinions under consideration, but your final vote to convict or acquit Reginald falls upon you. You should submit a vote to your groups Final Vote survey by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
3. Groupthink Analysis. Examine the results of the jury’s decision to convict or acquit and consider the process and the reasoning you and your colleagues gave for their votes. Reflect, too, on what you have learned about “groupthink” from the course materials and readings. Write a post that reflects on the deliberation and considers the wider implications of groupthink for society. Consider: To what extent was the verdict in this case an example of groupthink? Where else do you see groupthink in our society? What implications does groupthink have for social welfare and social change? Post your response during Module Seven, by Sunday at 11:59 pm.The FactsHere you will find the developed during the trial that you have been instructed to consult to reach your collective verdict. Read through these facts prior to deliberating and be sure to have them handy while you consider your fellow jurors opinions.

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