Second Guessing in Group Decision-Making

Communication Research, Forthcoming

41 Pages Posted: 30 Aug 2018

See all articles by Lian Jian

Lian Jian

University of Southern California - Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Andrea B. Hollingshead

USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism; University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business

John Lin

UberMedia

Date Written: August 20, 2018

Abstract

While numerous studies have demonstrated the difficulty minority opinion holders face when trying to persuade a majority, the present research investigated the conditions under which minority members might second-guess themselves and become advocates for the majority’s position even when they have the best information. In a laboratory experiment, we examined whether the structure of monetary incentives (fixed amount versus performance-based) and group decision-making procedure (collective decisions versus group discussion then individual decisions) might mitigate second-guessing by minority members when they initially favor the objectively best choice. Our results indicated that compared to fixed-amount incentives, performance-based incentives increased overall information sharing in collective decision-making groups but not in individual decision-making groups. Second-guessing by minority members was most likely to occur in groups that received performance-based incentives and made decisions individually. As a result of second guessing, these groups also made poorer decisions.

Keywords: minority influence, group decision-making, information sharing, incentives, hidden profile

JEL Classification: D70

Suggested Citation

Jian, Lian and Hollingshead, Andrea B. and Lin, John, Second Guessing in Group Decision-Making (August 20, 2018). Communication Research, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3235726

Lian Jian (Contact Author)

University of Southern California - Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism ( email )

3502 Watt Way, Suite 304
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~ljian/

Andrea B. Hollingshead

USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism ( email )

3502 Watt Way
Suite 101A
Los Angeles, CA 90089
United States
2138214081 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://annenberg.usc.edu/Faculty/Communication%20and%20Journalism/HollingsheadA.aspx

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business

701 Exposition Blvd
Los Angeles, CA California 90089
United States

John Lin

UberMedia ( email )

CA
United States

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