Seeks empirical data on whether communication is an essential element of effective decision making and whether the variance in group decision making is best accounted for by noninteraction or interaction sources. Shows that group communication is related to group performance independent of the influence of noncommunication factors like group…

Proposes interaction hypotheses involving the social, interpersonal, and intellectual responses of group members collaborating via computer-mediated communication. Finds that some conditions of computer-mediated communication used by geographically dispersed partners rendered effects systematically superior to those obtained in other mediated…

Assesses Persuasive Arguments Theory (PAT) assumptions about argument and argument influence. Reviews and critiques PAT, advancing five hypotheses to test its assumptions. Finds little correspondence between cognitive and discussion arguments in number, content, or persuasiveness. Discusses implications for PAT and for the role of communication in…

Examines consensus as a function of group members' decision rule orientations. Finds that for groups that interacted verbally, consensus was more likely between groups composed of members with matching (rather than differing) rule orientations. Discusses implications for group consensus and the decision rule orientation construct. (MM)

Builds a typology of the temporal paths by which decisions develop. Develops a typology with 11 different decision paths in three main groups: unitary sequences, complex sequences, and solution-centered sequences. Finds analysis of this typology supports the multiple sequence model, but also suggests a role for normative unitary models. (MS)

Examines patterns of oral communication in encounter groups and identifies three stages of group life: boundary-seeking, ambivalence and actualization. (MH)

Strongly confirmed the hypothesis that groups employing an interacting decision procedure would produce better decisions than groups employing procedures that are either nominal (Delphi) or "staticized" (individual judgments statistically pooled). Provides clear and consistent support for the value of social interaction in small group…

Investigates whether a member with information critical for making the best group decision positively influences the group's final choice. Examines impact of status differences among members and of communication media (face-to-face versus computer-mediated communication). Finds that mixed-status groups made poorer decisions and fewer references to…

Examines the formation of group norms in computer-mediated communication (CMC) among students who used e-mail as part of a course. Shows that norms prescribing a particular use of technology are socially constructed over time at the level of locally defined groups, and also shows that the influence of these norms is limited to the boundaries of…

Found no single sequence of interaction phases that led to successful or unsuccessful group problem solving. Successful groups, however, tended to begin their discussions by attempting to analyze the problem before searching for solutions; unsuccessful groups immediately began searching for solutions. (PD)

Analyzes how a new computer technology, Group Decision Support System (GDSS), affected how group decisions developed over time. Contrasts decision paths in groups using the GDSS with groups using GDSS procedural structures manually and with groups using no procedural structures. Finds that decision paths varied and were related to consensus…

Develops a method for predicting leadership behavior in small groups by integrating leadership theory and source valence concepts. (MH)

Tests a model of the factors that influence groups to follow various paths as they make decisions. Uses three panels of contingency variables to predict properties of the group's developmental path. Finds that group decision paths and their properties can be predicted as a function of task and relational contingencies. (MS)

Compares the Group Valence Model (GVM) to several derived versions of the Valence Distribution Model (VDM), as they relate to the group problem-solving process. Suggests that, not withstanding predictive accuracy, the VDM seems generally inferior to the GVM, which consistently accounts for more of the decision-making phenomenon. Discusses…