The Acute Susceptibility of Nominal Grouping to Negativity

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature regarding the relative advantages and disadvantages of group decision-making processes such as interacting groups, brainstorming groups, Delphi groups, and nominal groups. Prior research suggests a contingency approach to the selection of that process that best fits the nature of the problem, the nature of the group, and the nature of the participants. This report deals with a new finding for that body of literature--that the final vote in the five-step nominal grouping procedure can be significantly influenced by the slightest negativistic discussion.