TED-ED: Should you trust unanimous decisions? - Derek Abbott

The video explores the paradox of unanimity, where total agreement in decision-making can indicate errors or biases rather than certainty. It highlights the importance of considering uncertainty and variability, using examples like witness identifications and systematic errors in DNA evidence. The video concludes that while unanimity is ideal in low-uncertainty situations, it often signals hidden factors in complex scenarios.

What is the paradox of unanimity?

• A concept that suggests unanimous decisions can be unreliable

• A principle that states consensus is always beneficial

• A situation where unanimous decisions are always correct

• A theory that supports majority rule in all cases

Why might unanimous witness identifications be considered unreliable?

• Because memory based on short glimpses can be faulty

• Because identifications are as random as coin tosses

• Because witnesses always have perfect memory

• Because all witnesses are biased

What was the issue with the DNA evidence in the Phantom of Heilbronn case?

• The DNA was from multiple people

• The DNA was never collected

• The DNA was contaminated at the crime scene

• The DNA was consistently wrong due to contamination at the factory

What does a perfect result in a highly variable situation often indicate?

• That all participants are in agreement

• That there is likely a hidden factor affecting the system

• That the result is definitely accurate

• That the system is functioning perfectly

In what type of situations is unanimous agreement theoretically ideal?

• In situations where disagreement is expected

• In situations with low odds of variability and uncertainty

• In all situations regardless of variability

• In situations with high variability and uncertainty