DISSENT AND THE SEARCH FOR INFORMATION

Extending the theorizing of Nemeth (1986, 1995), the present study inv estigated the hypothesis that minority dissent would stimulate a searc h for more information and that this search would be relatively unbias ed. People should search for information on all sides of the issue, By contrast, it was predicted thar majority dissent would stimulate less overall desire for further information and, importantly, any informat ion search would be relatively biased. Ln direct: contrast to predicti ons for 'selective exposure' it was hypothesized that individuals expo sed to majority dissent would bias their search In favour of the major ity position. The evidence generally confirmed these propositions, esp ecially under conditions of 'high relevance.' The importance of inform ation search and its implications for the quality of group decision ma king are explored.