Enhancing Group Decision Making: An Exercise to Reduce Shared Information Bias

Abstract

Research on shared information bias has shown that group members involved in a decision-making task tend to undervalue information that a single member shares with the group, especially when that information conflicts with their prior conclusions. The group activity in this article is intended to heighten awareness of this shared information bias on group decision making. Students must choose among three candidates in a hiring simulation that uses a hidden profile methodology. In a sample of 20 student groups, only 4 groups chose the candidate with the most positive qualities, indicating most did not uncover the hidden profile. The exercise concludes with a discussion about the individual and group-level biases that affect group decision making and methods to enhance impartial deliberation of information.