Risky shift as a function of group members' value of risk and need for approval.

Abstract

Eighty-eight female subjects were assigned to dyads homogeneously composed with regard to their valuation of risk acceptance (low or high) as well as their need for approval (Iow or high). The dyads discussed each of a set of hypothetical decision situations involving risk taking and, at the end of each discussion l indicated the risk levels acceptable for them. High-value dyads shifted significantly more toward risk, relative to their prior decisions (2 X 2 analysis of variance). As intended, the study demonstrates that risk as a value plays a causal role in the group risky-shift effect. Other results are brought to bear on the parsimony of recent formulations of the value of risky shift. Value theory explains the group riskyshift phenomenon as a consequence of the positive value typically placed on risk acceptance, in conjunction with group discussion as a vehicle for attaining the value (Brown, 1965).3 Levinger and Schneider (1969) have shown the first supposition-that risk is a value-to be true. When asked about the level of risk acceptance that they considered as most admirable, college students indicated higher levels of risk than they had accepted in their own previous decisions. (It was anticipated that the same would be found in the present study.) Additional support comes from a study by Madaras and Bern (1968), who found more positive evaluations (ratings) being made of risk-accepting than of cautious