Effects of Partially Shared Information and Awareness of Unshared Information on Information Sampling

The present study examines the effects of two conditions on the information flow during unstructured discussion in small groups. The experimental work of Stasser and colleagues on information sampling was our starting point. The results of their research suggest that groups often fail in effective information exchange. An experiment with a 2 x 2 factorial design was set up to look for conditions that could facilitate the exchange of unshared information. Video-recorded group discussions were analyzed on the mentioning of items during discussion. The reactions to and repetition of items were also studied. The researchers introduced partially shared information and made group members aware of the unique information that they could contribute. A significant increase in the dissemination of unshared information was found under these conditions. An empirical basis was laid so that guidelines for effective information sampling by Stasser could be reformulated.