Diffusion of responsibility and level of risk taking in groups

This study reports evidence supporting the following propositions: (a) Group discussion and consensus concerning decisions that involve actual risks and payoffs lead to greater risk taking than occurs in the absence of such discussion and consensus. (b) The mechanism that underlies this group-induced shift toward greater risk taking consists of a diffusion or spreading of responsibility. Using risks and payoffs based on monetary gain and loss for problem solving performance, the above propositions received strong confirmation for male college Ss. The results of various experimental manipulations provided positive support for viewing diffusion of responsibility as the causal factor at work.

Английский

Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology. – 1964. – Vol. 68, № 3. – P. 263–274.