An experimental study of the effects of orientation behavior on small group consensus

This study investigated the relationship between orienting behavior and small group consensus. Employing a confederate to manipulate orientation behavior in three experimental conditions, thirty small group discussions were used to assess the effects of orientation on distance from consensus. Groups assigned to the High Orientation condition were significantly closer to consensus after discussion than groups in either the Low or No Orientation conditions. There was no significant difference between the Low and the No Orientation conditions. When total orientation behavior (manipulated and natural) was considered, an identical amount of perceived orientation behavior was found in the No and Low Orientation conditions. This finding paralleled the results obtained on distance from consensus.