The Virtuous Cycle of Agreement

Abstract Collective choice mechanisms are used by groups to reach decisions in the presence of diverging preferences. But can employed mechanism affect degree post-decision actual agreement (i.e., preference homogeneity) within a group? And if so, which features that matter? Since it is difficult address these questions natural settings, we employ theory-driven experiment where, after group collectively decides on an issue, individual preferences be properly elicited. We find decision promote consensual behaviour generate substantially higher levels compared outcome-wise identical procedures incentivise subjects exaggerate their differences.