Rules of Method and Rules of Conduct: An Experimental Study on Two Types of Procedure and Committee Behavior

Abstract

Models of committee decision making predict that equilibria are induced by institutional arrangements. Though rules of procedure undoubtedly affect outcomes in committees, a considerable debate has arisen on the nature of the relevant rules of procedure. Both the decision method and restrictions on communication influence committee decisions. Using a series of five-person experiments, this essay notes that two independent rules of procedure affect outcomes: limitations on the germaneness of motions (rules of method) and levels of communication (rules of conduct). Both types of restrictive rules must be present to induce certain equilibrium outcomes. These results add to the growing empirical evidence on committee decision making and clarify the effects of various rules of procedures.