Changing One's Mind following Group Discussion: Sex Differences as a Function of the Diversity of Opinion

Abstract

When individuals make decisions in group settings, the group decision tends to reflect a polarization of the average ~nitial position of the individual group members (Myers & Lamm, 1976). Thls group polarization phenomenon has been used to explain shifts toward either risk or cautlon by groups following a discussion among group members. In addition to the average initial position of group members, there will be some variability in these positions reflecting the differences in opinions within the group. Is this variability imporcanc in determining the degree or direction of group polarization? To assess this question, 75 male and 120 female college students were divided into 25 all male groups and 50 all female groups with two to four members each. Subjects were presented a series of brief, but increasingly loud and aversive noises. They were asked to select the loudest level of these noises that they would be willing ro experience over a 15-min. interval while learning a list of nonsense syllables in exchange for varying amounts of extra credit. After rating the intensities individually, subjects then met with their groups to determine a single level satisfactory to each member of the group. Males were more likely to select higher noise levels both individually and following group discussion (F = 21.32, df = 1/73, p < .001). There were no sex differences in the amount of change between the average of the individual ratings and the group consensus scores (F < 1.0). For males, however, there was a significant Pearson productmoment correlation between the variance of the individual scores and the squared difference of the average of the individual scores and the group consensus score (r = .45, 9 < .05 ) . No such relationship existed for the females (T = .05 ) . These results suggest that for males, greater diversity in individual positions leads to greater polarization in the group decision. For females, there appears to be no consistent relationship between variability of initial individual positions and the degree of group polarization. These findings further suggest that the sex of the group members and the variability of viewpoints should be considered when predicting the effects of group discussion upon group decisions.