Test: Decision Making & Problem Solving - UPSC MCQ

To get effective decision making environment, manager should encourage others to make decisions as well as should recognise the importance of quality information. Manager is also expected to try new things to improvise the outcome of decision. So, manager should encourage for participative/ democratic process of decision making rather relying solely upon himself/herself.

Heuristics are simple, experience-based rules that people use to make judgments and decisions. They involve focusing on specific aspects of a complex problem while ignoring others. Although these shortcuts are often efficient, they can lead to systematic deviations from logic or rationality when the ignored aspects are significant.

Errors occur because heuristics simplify complex problems, sometimes neglecting critical information. Therefore, option D—"without taking care of other aspects"—best explains the reason for errors when using heuristics.

Correct Answer- Option B

Steps in Decision-Making Process

1. Define the problem: This is the first and most fundamental step. Without a clear understanding of the problem, subsequent steps may not be effective.
2. Identify the limiting factors: Recognizing constraints, such as resources, time, and information availability, is essential to guide the development of feasible solutions.
3. Develop potential alternatives: After understanding the problem and constraints, generate possible courses of action.
4. Establish a control and evaluation system: This is the final step to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the chosen solution.

• The Delphi technique is used in structured communication technique to reach the correct response through consensus.
• Out of box thinking generates unconventional ideas.
• Nominal group technique is the decision making process which prevents the domination of discussion by single person, encourage the more passive group members to participate.
• In brain storming, individuals work alone and then groups were asked to brainstorm a list of ideas using procedures that encouraged creativity and discouraged criticism and evaluation. The scores of the individuals who worked alone were combined, averaged and compared with the scores of the groups.

 Correct Answer : Option B

• A decision tree is a schematic, tree-shaped diagram that represents decisions and their possible consequences, including costs, probabilities, and payoffs.
• It provides a clear and complete view of alternative decision paths and outcomes, making it an effective quantitative tool for decision-making.

Representativeness heuristic, a mental shortcut that helps us in making a decision by comparing information to our mental prototypes. e.g. if someone was to describe an older woman as warm and caring with a great love of children, most of us would assume that the older woman is a grandmother. She fits our mental representation of a grandmother, so we automatically classify her into that category.

Correct Answer - Option C
Explanation

• In this scenario, postponing (Option D) or stopping (Option B) would not fulfill the requirement of addressing the audience promptly.
• Asking for an umbrella (Option A) may cause unnecessary delays or logistical challenges.
• The best course of action is to continue the address despite the rain (Option C), as it reflects commitment to the message and respect for the audience's time, demonstrating effective leadership and adaptability.

Here, options (a) and (c) are not appropriate as these are not valid on ethical grounds while option (b) is also not valid as you are the head of the office and you have certain important tasks to accomplish. In this case, option (d) would be the best course of action as there are certain officials for each work in every office, so one has to consult them.

The correct answer is C: Both 'a' and 'b'.

To address the issue effectively:

1. Option A: The Special Secretary should confirm whether the death was indeed caused by a transfusion reaction. If confirmed, compensation should be provided to the deceased’s family, as this would address the cause of death and fulfill the Human Rights Commission's directive.

2. Option B: The lab technician should be held accountable if it was their mistake that led to the wrong blood transfusion, which contributed to the death.

By both confirming the cause and taking corrective action (removal of the responsible lab technician), the issue can be resolved comprehensively. Ignoring the Commission’s notice (Option D) would escalate the problem, and failing to confirm the cause (Option A) would not resolve the matter appropriately.

Being a responsible citizen and a regular visitor to the library, you may not stop from taking some proper action to help improve the condition of the library. Informing newspaper reporter to make a report is the best way to tackle the problem besides this it is necessary to write to the concerned authority to take action. Thus, option (d) is the best answer.

Option (a) is not correct and ethically not permitted. Option (b) will not solve your problem giving a written complaint about the feeler as mentioned in option (d) is logically not correct. So, best course of action is to go to the higher officer for help and verbally complaining about feelers.

Option (b) would not be moral as everyone has the right to give justification while option (c) is an escapist attitude. Protesting is correct, but lodging a complaint to the concerned authority will give the result, so, option (a) is the best course of action.

Option (a) shows you made the proposal to get cash in kind and (b) or (c) shows you are money minded and not honest to the work. Only option (d) shows that you are honest and not glutton for money or gifts.

The correct answer is C: Not hold him responsible for this accidental happening.

 Explanation : The officer acted with good intentions by stopping to help others, and the attack was an unforeseen and random criminal act. Holding him responsible for such an accident would be unfair. Options A, B, and D are punitive without considering the circumstances, and the officer should not be blamed for something beyond his control.

Correct Answer ; Option A

The best course of action is to meet the officer privately to discuss and understand the cause of his behavioral changes. This approach demonstrates leadership, empathy, and a commitment to solving problems constructively.

• Option A fosters open communication and helps identify the root cause of the issue, allowing for appropriate support and corrective measures.
• Option B is negative and focuses only on the outward symptoms, potentially alienating the officer.
• Option C is dismissive and avoids responsibility as a higher officer.
• Option D assumes the issue will resolve on its own, which is unlikely without addressing the underlying cause.

This demonstrates effective leadership and coordination, which is crucial for maintaining morale and professional standards in the force