Choosing None of the Above: Persistence of Negativity after Group Discussion and Group Decision Refusal

Journal article | Zeitschriftenartikel

Within psychology and other disciplines, group decision making is a much-studied topic. However, the conditions in which groups do not decide but rather refuse to choose among available options have not been studied systematically. This research begins to fill this void, studying the effects of the initial opinions of group members on group decision refusal. Based on the common knowledge effect, it is predicted and found that groups will often refuse all available options when group members are initially negative about the options. It is further found that, when initial opinions are negative, positive information entered during group discussion does not have much impact. The implications of this negativity bias are discussed.

Show object

• Extent: Seite(n): 525-538
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Status: Postprint; begutachtet (peer reviewed)

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 11(4)

Classification and Topics

• Subject: common knowledge effect; decision refusal; group decision making;

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Nijstad, Bernard A.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (when): 2008

Further information

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430208095404
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-228774
• Rights: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln