The transmission of norms regarding group decision rules

Robert Jacobs and Donald Campbell's generational paradigm was used to examine the effects of group decision rule and performance feedback on the extent to which use of the decision rule was maintained as groups underwent turnover in membership. Confederates initially established a norm regarding rule use: Half the groups began with a majority rule and half with a seniority-based dictatorial rule. Groups made decisions about hiring (fictitious) job applicants. Half the groups in each decision rule condition received feedback that their decisions were correct and half that their decisions were incorrect. Groups that began with majority rule continued to use the rule. Groups that began with seniority rule always changed the rule and always changed it to majority rule. Performance feedback had no effect on maintenance of the decision rule, although it influenced group members' perceptions of the decision process and feelings toward the senior member under seniority rule.