Risky shift phenomenon
Working in teams can create what Stoner (1968) refers to as Risky Shift Phenomenon. This can be categorised as:
(click on each category for more information)
Diffusion of responsibility
Diffusion of responsibility: Because there is no one person that will take the blame, this encourages the team to make more risky decisions.
Valuing risk
Valuing risk: A team can actually encourage its members to take more risky decisions because individuals can be seen to be tough or macho as a result.
Familiarisation
Familiarisation: The more something is discussed the more 'normal' it feels. What starts out as an outrageous idea soon becomes OK after being discussed for a while.
Prominence/leadership effect
Prominence/leadership effect: Those who speak the loudest or dominate the team may be listened to more, but they are not always the people with the best or most practical answers.
This can mean that the best decisions are not always taken, and this can have difficult consequences.
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