Experiments in group decision making, 3: disinhibition, deindividuation, and group process in pen name and real name computer conferences

摘要

This field experiment focused on the effect of using pen names (a form of anonymity)_in computer conferences for group decision making in choice dilemma tasks. The subjects were peer groups of managers in a large, conservative corporation with a well developed “corporate culture”. It was hypothesized that pen name conferences might exhibit more disinhibited and deindividuated behavior than conferences in which comments were signed with the real name of the contributor. There was actually little disinhibited behavior in either mode of computerized conferencing. Pen name conferences showed consistent, but statistically insignificant tendencies toward less disagreement about the final group choice, more participation, and greater equality of participation. The final group choices are significantly more conservative in pen name computer conferences within this conservative subculture. This may be interpreted as providing support for the hypothesis that there is more deindividuation in the pen name condition. In sum, problem-solving techniques using software structures that employ forms of anonymity appear to be helpful options in future group decision support systems built within computer-mediated communication systems.