The Costs and Benefits of Undoing Egocentric Responsibility Assessments in Groups

Abstract

Individuals working in groups often egocentrically believe they have contributed more of the total work than is logically possible. Actively considering others' contributions effectively reduces these egocentric assessments, but this research suggests that undoing egocentric biases in groups may have some unexpected costs. Five experiments demonstrate that considering others' contributions effectively reduces egocentric responsibility allocations, but that it also reduces satisfaction and interest in future collaborations among those who contributed (or believed they contributed) more than other group members. This was especially true in cooperative groups. Egocentric biases in responsibility allocation can create conflict, but this research suggests that undoing them can make matters worse. Some members who look beyond their own perspective may not like what they see.

Keywords: Judgment and Decision Making, Egocentrism, Perspective Taking, Group Satisfaction, Heuristics, Biases