of emergent group characteristics: group perceptions and processes. Group Perceptions These include members’ perceptions of the group's vulnerability, the inherent morality of the group, member unanimity, and views of opposing groups. Group Processes These include the group's response to negative feedback, treatment of dissenters, self-censorship, and use of mindguards. Decision process characteristics Decision process characteristics are grouped in terms of the first three stages of group problem-solving processes: problem identification, alternative generation and evaluation and choice. Implementation and control stages are not included because they follow the actual decision, but some variables preparing for those stages are indeed included (e.g. development of contingency plans and gathering of control-related information). Problem identification Elements of this stage are predecisional information search, survey of objectives, and explicit problem definition. Example: if members of the group fail to explicitly or correctly define the problem, there is a chance that they will solve the wrong problem. Alternative generation Elements are number of alternatives and quality of alternatives. Example: in generating alternatives, it's important to differentiate quality and quantity of alternative ideas generated. Some group processes, such as brainstorming, are directed towards generating large numbers of ideas, with the assumption that it will lead to a superior alternative. Defective processes, on the other hand, might lead to large numbers of low quality ideas. Evaluation and choice Elements are information processing quality, the source of the initial selection of a preferred alternative, emergence of preferred alternative, group decision rule, timing of convergence, reexamination of preferred and rejected alternatives, source of the final solution, development of contingency plans, and gathering of control-related information. Example: whether the group decides based on a majority rule or a consensus has to be reached, makes a great difference in the process. If a consensus is to be reached, dissent could be discouraged, because dissenters could elongate and jeopardize the process. With a majority rule, dissent is more acceptable. Outcomes The GGPS model includes an array of decision, political and affective outcomes. Decision outcomes: include acceptance of the decision by those affected by it and/or those who have to implement it, adherence to the decision, implementation success, and decision quality. Example: if the leader of the group is not satisfied with the decision, he/she might unilaterally reverse it. Political outcomes: include future motivation of the leader, future motivation of the group and future use of the group. Example: if the outcome did not