Shared information bias
Encyclopedia
Shared information bias is known as the tendency for group members to spend more time and energy discussing information that all members are already familiar with (i.e., shared information), and less time and energy discussing information that only some members are aware of (i.e., unshared information). Harmful consequences related to poor decision making can arise when the group must have access to unshared information (hidden profiles
) in order to make a well-informed decision.
on some course of action. According Postmes, Spears, and Cihangir (2001), when group members are motivated by a desire to reach closure
(e.g., a desire imposed by time constraints), their bias for discussing shared information is stronger. However, if members are concerned with making the best decision possible, this bias becomes less salient. In support of the observations by Postmes et al. (2001), Stewart and Stasser (1998) have asserted that the shared information bias is strongest for group members working on ambiguous, judgment-oriented tasks because their goal is to reach consensual agreement than to distinguish a correct solution.
The shared information bias may also develop during group discussion in response to the interpersonal and psychological needs
of individual group members. For example, some group members tend to seek group support for their own personal opinions. This psychological motivation to garner collective acceptance of one's own initial views has been linked to group preferences for shared information during decision making activities (Greitemeyer & Schulz-Hardt, 2003; Henningsen & Henningsen, 2003)
Lastly, the nature of the discussion between group members reflects whether biases for shared information will surface. According to Wittenbaum et al., 2004), members are motivated to establish and maintain reputation
s, to secure tighter bonds, and to compete for success against other group members. As a result, individuals tend to be selective when disclosing information to other group members.
Hidden profiles
A hidden profile is a paradigm found in a situation when part of some information is shared among group members , whereas other pieces of information are unshared...
) in order to make a well-informed decision.
Causes
Although discussing unshared information may be enlightening, groups are often motivated to discuss shared information in order to reach group consensusConsensus decision-making
Consensus decision-making is a group decision making process that seeks the consent, not necessarily the agreement, of participants and the resolution of objections. Consensus is defined by Merriam-Webster as, first, general agreement, and second, group solidarity of belief or sentiment. It has its...
on some course of action. According Postmes, Spears, and Cihangir (2001), when group members are motivated by a desire to reach closure
Closure (psychology)
Closure or need for closure is a popular psychology term used to describe an individual's desire for a definite cognitive closure as opposed to enduring ambiguity...
(e.g., a desire imposed by time constraints), their bias for discussing shared information is stronger. However, if members are concerned with making the best decision possible, this bias becomes less salient. In support of the observations by Postmes et al. (2001), Stewart and Stasser (1998) have asserted that the shared information bias is strongest for group members working on ambiguous, judgment-oriented tasks because their goal is to reach consensual agreement than to distinguish a correct solution.
The shared information bias may also develop during group discussion in response to the interpersonal and psychological needs
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper A Theory of Human Motivation. Maslow subsequently extended the idea to include his observations of humans' innate curiosity...
of individual group members. For example, some group members tend to seek group support for their own personal opinions. This psychological motivation to garner collective acceptance of one's own initial views has been linked to group preferences for shared information during decision making activities (Greitemeyer & Schulz-Hardt, 2003; Henningsen & Henningsen, 2003)
Lastly, the nature of the discussion between group members reflects whether biases for shared information will surface. According to Wittenbaum et al., 2004), members are motivated to establish and maintain reputation
Reputation
Reputation of a social entity is an opinion about that entity, typically a result of social evaluation on a set of criteria...
s, to secure tighter bonds, and to compete for success against other group members. As a result, individuals tend to be selective when disclosing information to other group members.
Avoidance strategies
Several strategies can be employed to reduce group focus on discussing shared information:- Make effort to spent more time actively discussing collective decisions. Given that group members tend to discuss shared information first, longer meetings increase likelihood of reviewing unshared information as well.
- Make effort to avoid generalized discussions by increasing the diversity of opinions within the group (Smith, 2008).
- Introduce the discussion of a new topic to avoid returning to previously discussed items among members (Reimer, Reimer, & Hinsz, 2010).
- Technology (e.g., group decision support systemsGroup decision support systemsGroup Decision Support Systems are a class of electronic meeting systems, a collaboration technology designed to support meetings and group work...
, GDSS) can also offer group members a way to catalog information that must be discussed. These technological tools (e.g., search engines, databases, computer programs that estimate risk) help facilitate communication between members while structuralizing the group's decision making process (Hollingshead, 2001).