CMAT Critical Thinking and Decision Making 2

Question 1

Which of the following best illustrates 'groupthink' in an organizational setting?

Accepted Answer

Team members suppress dissenting views to maintain group harmony

Answer

A team thoroughly debates all options before reaching a decision

Answer

A manager makes a unilateral decision without consulting others

Answer

A group uses a formal voting process to resolve disagreements

Question 2

In critical thinking, an 'ad hominem' fallacy occurs when:

Accepted Answer

An argument attacks the person making it rather than addressing the argument itself

Answer

Statistical data is used incorrectly to support a claim

Answer

Two unrelated events are linked as if one caused the other

Answer

An argument appeals to the popularity of an idea as proof of its truth

Question 3

Which problem-solving technique involves generating a large number of ideas without initial judgment or criticism?

Accepted Answer

Brainstorming

Answer

Root cause analysis

Answer

Cost-benefit analysis

Answer

Delphi method

Question 4

A manager notices that sales dropped after launching a new marketing campaign and concludes the campaign caused the drop. What logical error has been committed?

Accepted Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer

Straw man fallacy

Answer

False dichotomy

Answer

Appeal to authority

Question 5

The 'Pareto Principle' (80/20 rule) applied to decision making suggests that:

Accepted Answer

20% of causes produce approximately 80% of effects

Answer

80% of managers make poor decisions 20% of the time

Answer

Decisions should be reviewed every 80 days

Answer

80% of problems require only 20% of total available resources

Question 6

In decision making under risk, which technique calculates the average outcome by weighting each scenario by its probability?

Accepted Answer

Expected Monetary Value (EMV)

Answer

Maximin criterion

Answer

Maximax criterion

Answer

Minimax regret

Question 7

Which of the following best represents 'lateral thinking' as a problem-solving approach?

Accepted Answer

Approaching problems from unexpected or creative angles

Answer

Following sequential, logical steps to arrive at a solution

Answer

Using historical data to predict and solve future problems

Answer

Applying a proven single best solution repeatedly across situations