Discussion arguments, information about others’ responses, and risky shift

Abstract

The discussion-arguments and information-exchange explanations of the risky-, cautious-shift phenomenon were tested in three conditions. An information-exchange-only condition provided mere exposure to others’ initial responses, a discussion-only condition elicited discussion without information exchange, and a discussion-plus-information-exchange condition combined the two elements. Significant shift was observed in each of the three conditions. Other analyses examined the relationship between perceived relative riskiness and shift and between Ss’ aptitude scores and initial tendencies in the valued direction. The data generally supported the discussion arguments explanation.