The document provides guidance for a management plan assignment. It discusses three best methods for management teams to use when problem solving: means-ends analysis, back up avoidance, and difference reduction. Means-ends analysis is recommended as it combines goal-driven and creative approaches. The role of judgment in problem solving processes and an example for the management plan are to be included. Problem solving involves breaking goals into sub-goals and applying appropriate methods. Management teams can acquire problem solving methods through discovery, instruction, or observing examples.

1. ·
·
· Must be a foreign film with subtitles
· Provide you with a glimpse of what life is like in another
culture
· The process of watching this movie or TV show should
provide you with a unique cultural experience.
· Watch the movie or TV show that you selected, and use your
reactions as part of your response to the following topic:
· Define ethnocentrism. Discuss how ethnocentrism affects
individuals and societies.
Write a paper of 2–3 pages addressing the following:
· Provide a comprehensive overview of the concept of
ethnocentrism.
· Use your cultural experience of watching the selected movie
or TV show to discuss the effect of ethnocentrism on
individuals and societies.
· Use any personal experiences that you may have had visiting
different countries around the world as part of this paper;
however, do not let your personal experiences with other
cultures be the focal point of this paper.
· The focal point of the paper is your cultural experience
watching the selected movie or TV show and your
comprehensive overview of the concept of ethnocentrism.
· Please note that this paper is not intended to be a summary of
the movie or TV show.
· This paper is not a book review or overview of the movie or
TV show you selected.
· Focus on the cultural observations that you are able to make
based on this experience and your discussion of the concept of
ethnocentrism.
Please submit your assignment.
The following rubric will be used for grading:
Grading Rubric

2. Submission addresses content requirements
30%
Evidenced critical thinking and connection to real-world and
assignment scenario applicability
40%
Justified ideas and responses by using appropriate examples and
references from texts, Web sites, and other references or
personal experience
20%
Adherence to assignment deadlines, length requirement, correct
spelling and proper grammar, and properly formatted per APA
style
10%
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web
resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the
following multimedia course material(s):
· Unit 2: Social Interaction (Watch It)
· Unit 2: Social Interaction and Group Functioning
· Unit 2: Social Interaction (Answer It)
· Unit 2: Concepts in Sociology
· Unit 2: Social Groups and Organizations
Instructions
You and your teammates are working for a company as members
of their management team.
Write a 1,300- to 1,500-word management plan that includes the
following:
•Discuss the best methods that the management team can use to
problem solve areas under consideration.
•Discuss how judgment is included in these processes.
•Provide an example in your plan.
Sources should include the course text and at least 1 peer-
reviewed journal article.

3. Papers should adhere to APA style.
Problem Solving and Judgment
Everyday we’re faced with making a decision or decisions,
some are life changing, and others may be derived from a policy
or procedure that has little or no input from the individual that
requires a judgment to be made. The process of choosing one
course of action over another is generally identified as problem
solving were a judgment is needed. In this paper our team will
discuss three (3) steps to problem solving, goal directedness,
subgoal decomposition, an operation application, In addition,
three ways to acquire a new problem solving operators. We will
summarize with the best methods to solve problems, and
provide an example.
Best Methods to Problem Solve Areas under Consideration
The stage of operator selection represents a crucial step in the
process toward problem resolution. This stage offers three main
methods to problem solving: back up avoidance, difference
reduction, and means-ends analysis. Back up avoidance refers to
problem solver bias and essentially creates significant
reluctance to undo or backtrack on the initial problem solving
behavior (Anderson, 2009). Although the persistence and
determination in back up avoidance is also noted, back up
avoidance often reduces open mindedness to adaptation abilities
and creativity.
Difference reduction or “hill climbing” describes a fixation on
the end goal. People who use difference reduction to solve
problems often miss out on alternative problem solving
behaviors because of their fixation on reducing the distance
between their current state and the main goal, however
ineffectively (Anderson, 2009). Difference reduction involves
identification of sub goals and subtasks to some degree, which
provide much usefulness in tackling the larger end goal.
However, people who use difference reduction refuse to take
creative or alternative steps to achieve their goal, even if the
alternative steps (temporarily) take away from their sense of

4. getting “higher” toward their goal (Anderson, 2009).
Researchers divide human creativity in two distinct forms, one
of which is fundamentally goal-driven and the other of which is
fundamentally natural (Bhattacharya, Yonggui, & Dongming,
2010). Whereas goal-driven creativity primarily focuses on
problem solving, natural creativity is characterized by
impulsivity, spontaneity, and creativity. Means-ends analysis
(MEA) refers to the most sophisticated (and recommended)
method to problem solving that combines goal-driven and
natural approaches to problem solving (Anderson, 2009).
MEA appeals to management teams highly for two major
reasons. First, MEA research consistently reflects that humans
are social creatures that problem solve within social contexts
that influence creativity. Second, MEA highlights a logical
framework that strives to continually improve performance
through adaptation, creativity, openness, and an emphasis on
enabling means rather than fixation on the main goal
(Bhattacharya et al. 2010).
MEA appeals to common sense and aims to identify and address
the biggest difference. Managers who use MEA possess
openness to rerouting plans and changing the sequence of
operators if necessary, rather than abandoning them. MEA
describes a method in which people perceive the means as the
end and focus on enabling the means to finally achieve the main
goal. This partly explains why Herbert Simon’s MEA dominated
the direction of design research on artificial intelligence
systems (AIS) for systematic problem solving (Bhattacharya et
al. 2010).
Research on systematic introspective methods indicates a
significant impact on performance. Introspection emphasizes the
importance of self-reflection, self-awareness, self-observation,
self-monitoring in the interpretation of behaviors and verbal
data, and improve problem solving performance (Jäkel &
Schreiber, 2013). Introspective methods such as verbalization
provide managers with insight into employees’ reasoning and
help employees organize their thoughts and generate

5. explanations for use of problem solving operators; particularly
in problem solving for complex problems. Additionally,
introspection increases self-regulation, improves understanding
between management and employees, and exposes
organizational members to a wide range of perspectives.
The Role of Judgment in these Processes
An Example in the Plan
Conclusion
Problem solving represents a higher cognitive ability that aims
to reduce the distance between the current state and the goal.
Problem solving possesses three main features: goal
directedness, sub-goal composition, and operator application.
Goal directedness refers to the identification of an issue that
requires strategic action. Sub-goal composition pertains to the
crucial step of breaking down the main goal into smaller goals
and tasks that allow for consistent increments of progress either
by individual or group effort. Operator application refers to the
selection and application of a method or action most appropriate
for the unique issue or goal (Anderson, 2009).
Management teams can select problem solving operators in
three different ways: discovery, direct instruction, and example
(Anderson, 2009). In some cases, management approaches may
benefit from a combination of methods of acquiring operators.
Discovery refers to enlightenment and exploration of an
approach that was not influenced by instruction or observation
of others’ examples. Direct instruction refers to the influence of
directives or suggestions given by superiors (or others) on
problem solving behaviors. Example reflects another social
impact on problem solving behaviors and involves observation
and analysis of methods and outcomes used by others.