Selective information search acid group heterogeneity: The influence of various forms of group heterogeneity on self-confirming mechanisms in decision making

Research within the framework of dissonance theory has consistently reveale d that people who have made a provisional or final decision prefer supporti ng to conflicting information (confirmation bias). As recent studies prove, these self-confirming mechanisms, which may endanger the quality of decisi ons, also appear in group decision-making. In the two experiments reported here we investigated whether different kinds of heterogeneous group composi tion lead to a more balanced information search. Both experiments offer con verging evidence that groups whose members prefer different alternatives pr ior to the group discussion are less confident about the group's decision a nd show a smaller confirmation bias than groups whose members possess ident ical preferences. However, neither heterogeneity due to the members' person ality profiles nor heterogeneity due to members' gender had any influence o n confidence or information seeking. The results are discussed in particula r with regard to their implications for group decision making in real setti ngs.