This single-class activity augments the popular desert island activity to include a secret insider who aims to influence their group covertly. The motivation for this augmented activity is twofold: (1) to highlight and dispel notions of invulnerability to groupthink and (2) to provide an opportunity to engage in small-group decision making. To…

Service-learning literature regularly recommends small group activities as a learning tool but rarely examines the use of a broader application of a small group dynamics framework into a service-learning course. In this research, we explore the integration of small group dynamics frameworks into a service-learning classroom; this pedagogical…

When families consider investing in their children's education they must weigh the perceived costs against the potential benefits, which becomes increasingly difficult as the cost of higher education continues to rise. Using a family systems approach, this phenomenological study explored the central research question, "How do families…

In a videotape analysis of five National Issues Forums, I investigate the nature of deliberative talk in small group deliberative settings. I show that deliberative talk in these forums mostly takes the form of storytelling. I argue that storytelling helps participants overcome barriers to deliberation, such as lack of knowledge and the need to…

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…

Explores the effects of computer-mediated communication (CMC) and face-to-face (FTF) media on group performance of college students. Finds that CMC groups generated a greater number of unique ideas than FTF groups but that CMC groups took longer to reach consensus than FTF groups. Discusses implications and recommendations for media combination…

Identifies patterns of argument that characterize majority and minority communication in 34 discussions among small groups of students in decision-making situations. Finds that winning and losing subgroups argue differently (as do minority and majority subgroups overall) and that consistency in argument is a strong predictor of subgroup success.…

In the opinion of decision-making scholars, conflict is a natural component of group decision-making. A new direction for conflict and group decision-making theory and research will help dispel the confusion as to the promotive or disruptive nature of disagreement in group decision-making. Conflict literature is replete with descriptions of the…

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)

Reconceptualizes groupthink symptoms as observable group interaction patterns. Proposes two coding systems for detecting the illusion of unanimity symptom, detecting both degree of unanimity and degree of the illusory versus substantive nature of that unanimity. (SR)

Posits a theoretical process model of group argument. Uses the Group Valence Model and two versions of the Distribution of Valence Model to investigate argument-outcome links. Finds that both frameworks were good predictors of group outcomes, and that all argument acts tested were good predictors of group decision choices except those of…

Examines the relationship between identity and anonymity in use of computer-based group decision support systems (GDSS). Finds that identification with all targets was lower in GDSS meetings than it was in general; and that discursively anonymous participants had less identification with their group and used fewer expressions of multiple…

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…

Presents two studies of the influence of group size, prior acquaintance, and gender composition on talking and silence in decision making groups (N=157). Results suggested that friends talked more than strangers, and leaders talked more than nonleaders. Group differences were reflected more dramatically in patterns of silence. (JAC)

Group decision support systems (GDDS) represent a technological aid for the decision-making process, combining communication, computers, and decision technologies to support problem formulation and solution in group meetings. A study examined communicative influence strategies used in a GDDS meeting. Subjects, 201 high- and low-influence persons…