Group discussion and changes in attitudes and representations

The effectiveness of group discussions as a method of modifying previous at titudes was analyzed. Two experimental studies tested whether individuals w ho were members of discussion groups produced more arguments than individua ls who were not members of such groups. The studies also examined whether a ttitude changes were stronger among participants exposed to group discussio ns and the mechanisms through which such attitude changes take place. In th e first study, 310 Spanish psychology students were assigned to either 1 of 2 discussion groups or a control group. Results showed that the impact of group production on the individual cognitive sphere mediated the effects of group discussion on the individual's attitude change. A total of 107 Spani sh psychology students participated in Study 2. The results showed that aft er 1 week individual members of discussion groups were able to produce more arguments in the same direction and that the group as a unit was more crea tive than its individual members.