Decisions…decisions (Chapter 9)

Finally what we have all been waiting for, the Merge of the new Huyopa tribe! This episode of Survivor begins with the tribes arriving back after tribal council, and Keith is noticeably upset that Missy and Baylor betrayed by placing a vote for him. We then watch Julie fracture her alliances as well when she hoards some of the trail mix from their feast. John searches through her purse while she is away and exposes and shares what he finds with the group. At that moment Julie was being questioned for credibility by every tribe member. A very strong alliance throughout the episodes has been Baylor and Josh, but since the merge; she is choosing loyalty to her mother leaving Josh very bitter. It is immediately obvious that this merge has disrupted the loyalty of everyones alliances.
In chapter 9 Structured and Creative Problem Solving in Groups we cover decision making which is displayed individually and as a team in Survivor. I found it interesting that “groups often make better decisions than individuals working alone”(195) but Jaclyn and John came to mind. I did not think this statement could be completely true because groups can go very good or very bad, but it all depends on the strength of what everything revolves around in Survivor…alliances. Jaclyn and John are a couple, which makes the alliances in this type of game much more trustworthy than anyone else. They also happen to be a couple that everyone goes to to be aliened with, therefore they are once again in a tough place. Missy and Baylor have a very strong accord as well, but Baylor shows signs of using the dependent decision making style. The book states that this style is characterized by someone that “seeks the advice and opinions of others before making a decision.”(200) Throughout the episode she is filling her mom in on conversations with other members and her options, seeking advice and approval from her. I can’t wait to find out who will trust who once more loved ones are not there for unconditional support.