Risky Shift as a Function of Group Members' Value of Risk and Need for Approval

Eighty-eight female subjects were assigned to dyads homogeneously composed with regard to their valuation of risk acceptance (low or high) as well as their need for approval (Iow or high). The dyads discussed each of a set of hypothetical decision situations involving risk taking and, at the end of each discussion l indicated the risk levels acceptable for them. High-value dyads shifted significantly more toward risk, relative to their prior decisions (2 X 2 analysis of variance). As intended, the study demonstrates that risk as a value plays a causal role in the group risky-shift effect. Other results are brought to bear on the parsimony of recent formulations of the value theory of risky shift.