This is a collaborative proposal with Dr. Julie Irwin of New York University (SBR 9510914). The PIs propose to test a new model (the social judgment scheme model) of group decision making. This model pertains to decisions concerning continuous variables such as money or other quantities. In the experiments to be performed by the PIs, the issues to be decided will include decisions about public hazards that inspire the feeling of dread. The PIs will manipulate a number of procedural aspects of mock panels or committees in order to ascertain the influence of these factors. Such factors will include the group decision rule (e.g., unanimity or majority), group size, accountability of the group to other constituencies, and framing.
