Group Discussion and Changes in Attitudes and Representations

The effectiveness of group discussions as a method of modifying previous attitudes was analyzed. Two experimental studies tested whether individuals who were members of discussion groups produced more arguments than individuals who were not members of such groups. The studies also examined whether attitude changes were stronger among participants exposed to group discussions and the mechanisms through which such attitude changes take place. In the first study, 310 Spanish psychology students were assigned to either 1 of 2 discussion groups or a control group. Results showed that the impact of group production on the individual cognitive sphere mediated the effects of group discussion on the individual's attitude change. A total of 107 Spanish psychology students participated in Study 2. The results showed that after 1 week individual members of discussion groups were able to produce more arguments in the same direction and that the group as a unit was more creative than its individual members.