Differential Information Access• Research suggests that group discussions are

dominated by information that is widely shared among group members • Often the potential advantage of a diversity of

perspectives is unutilized • Hidden Profile

Jack & Jill: The Big Decision

Hidden Profile

• Path A is shorter• Path B is rocky• Path A has a nice view• Path A is shaded• Path B has wildflowers

along it

• Path A is shorter• Path B is rocky• Path A has a nice view• Path A is shaded• Path B has wildflowers

along it• Path B has steps to prevent

accidental falls• Path A is very steep

Jack Jill

Larson, Christenson, Abbot, & Franz (1996)

• 3-person teams of physicians• Hypothetical medical cases

• Shared information • Unshared information

• Shared information was discussed more often• Shared information was mentioned earlier in the discussion• As the discussion proceeded, the probability of mentioning

new shared information decreased and the probability of mentioning new unshared information increased