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Common information:
Common information effect is a problem in group decision making process that occurs when a group only recognizes and prioritizes information that is shared and available for all group members.
- Probabilistically is more likely to come up
- Instantly reinforced
- More likely to be recalled after meetings
- Perceived is more credible than unique information
Strategies that do NOT work
These strategies do not help mitigate common information effect:
- Increasing the amount of discussion
- Separating information review and decision
- Increasing size of the team
- Increasing volume of information
- Increasing team/individual accountability
Strategies that work
- Encouraging norms of debate and critical thinking vs. just consensus and getting along
- Frame as "problem to be solved" rather than a "decision to be made"
- Rank-order alternatives instead of choosing best option
- Alert team to different expertise possessed by teammates
- Minimize status differences among teammates
- Pay attention, alert teammates to unique information, ask questions and engage others
Source: Postmes et al. (2001), Stasser and Stewart (1992), Hollingshead (1996), Stasser et al. (2000)
Participation as a function of group size
- In a typical 4-person group, 2 people do over 62% of the talking
- In a 6-person group, 3 people do over 86% of the talking
- In an 8-person group, 3 people do over 77% of the talking
Source: Shaw, M.E. Group dynamics: The psychology of small group behavior, 3rd Edition. New York McGraw-Hill:170