Collective Estimation: Accuracy, Expertise, and Extroversion as Sources of Intra-Group Influence

Keywords

group decision-making, social decision schemes, intra-group influence, social permutation

Abstract

Although estimations typically possess correct answers, these answers may be difficult to demonstrate to others. However, providing external information may increase their demonstrability. In this experiment, individuals (N = 60) and 6-person groups (N = 360) generated estimations with or without frames of reference. We hypothesized that estimations involving frames of reference would be best fit by models predicting intra-group influence based on the accuracy of alternatives or of members in general. Conversely, we hypothesized that estimations not involving frames of reference would be best fit by models predicting influence based on member extroversion or proposal centrality. Results indicate that groups outperformed individuals and that estimations generated in the presence of frames of reference were superior to those generated in their absence. Accuracy and expertise schemes provided the best fit when frames of reference were provided, whereas an extroversion scheme provided the best fit when they were not.

Original Publication Citation

Bonner, B.L., Sillito, S.D., & Baumann, M.R. (2007). Collective estimation: Accuracy, expertise, and extroversion as sources of intra-group influence. Organizational Behavior & Human Decision Processes, 103, 121-133.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2007

Publisher

Organizational Behavior & Human Decision Processes

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Marketing

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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