The Influence of Time and Task Demonstrability on Decision-Making in Computer-Mediated and Face-to-Face Groups

Abstract

Decision-making groups tend to favor the introduction and use of shared over unshared information, often leading teams to make suboptimal decisions. This study examined the influence of time (restricted vs. ample) and perceptions of task demonstrability (solve vs. judge) on information sampling and decision quality in computer-mediated and face-to-face groups. Three-person face-to-face and computer-mediated groups were asked to read about a fictional murder investigation and to determine which of the three suspects was the guilty individual. The results indicated that the computer-mediated groups, who were given a solve set of instructions and ample time to discuss the task, had the highest solution rates. Analyses of the computer-mediated discussion logs indicated that the solve groups who were given extended time repeated and recalled more unshared information.