Goal
CRED's goal is to clarify how small groups make decisions on environmental issues, and specifically to use regulatory focus theory, in particular, the construct of regulatory fit, to understand group decision making. We examine two hypotheses, among others: (1) Members of a group whose chronic or situationally-induced focus (promotion or prevention) fits the normative manner of the decision to be made (i.e., a normatively risky or conservative decision) will participate more and be more influential in the decision than members whose focus does not fit; and (2) The higher the proportion of group members whose regulatory focus fits the norm about how the decision ought to be made, the more the final decision will polarize toward that norm (i.e., a risky shift or a conservative shift), and the more the group will value both the process and the outcome of their decision. In addition, this project will explore the possibility that established groups can construct over time a shared reality about the promotion or prevention orientation of the group that is, to some extent at least, independent of the individual group members' regulatory focus.

Background
Regulatory fit occurs when the norm for a decision sustains (rather than disrupts) the regulatory orientation of a person or group (Higgins, 2000). Persons and groups can make decisions with a promotion focus orientation toward advancement and accomplishment or a prevention focus orientation toward security and responsibility (Higgins 1997). Making a decision in a risky or eager manner (i.e., ensuring against errors of omission) sustains or fits a promotion focus, and making a decision in a conservative or vigilant manner (i.e., ensuring against errors of commission) fits a prevention focus. Both individuals and groups prefer risky choices when in a promotion focus and conservative choices when in a prevention focus (Levine et al. 2000).

Research Questions
How do group decisions involving risk differ from individuals making the same decision alone?

Does the regulatory focus of a group become increasingly consensual over time?

Do deliberations on particular types of problems tend to produce a particular group focus over time (i.e., a situational or task effect)?

Last Updated: June 1, 2006