Cognitive load and the equality heuristic: A two-stage model of resource overconsumption in small groups

Two studies were conducted to test a two-stage model of the psychological m echanisms underlying the overconsumption of scarce resources in small group s. The model proposes that members of groups sharing resources first anchor their consumption choices on an "equal-division" heuristic and then, given sufficient cognitive capacity, adjust their choices in a self-serving dire ction. The results from both studies support the model. The first study fou nd that when faced with a common resource pool almost all group members exp ressed thoughts regarding equality; however, individuals with sufficient co gnitive capacity requested more from the pool and expressed more task-relev ant thoughts than individuals lacking the necessary cognitive resources. Th e second study provided additional support for the two-stage model by demon strating that group members' cognitions occur in the order predicted by the model and by demonstrating that an individual difference, social value ori entation, affects thought processes only when individuals are not experienc ing high cognitive loads. Implications are discussed. (C) 2000 Academic Pre ss.