People learn valuable information from how long others hesitate before making their decisions, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that when people saw others in their group hesitating before making a choice, they were about twice as likely to break from the group and make a different choice.

«When we see other people hesitate before making a choice, that tells us they were conflicted, that they weren’t entirely sure they were making the right decision,» said Ian Krajbich, co-author of the study and professor of psychology and economics at The Ohio State University.

«That makes people less confident in the group consensus and frees them to make decisions based on their own information. That can help groups to escape bad outcomes.»

Krajbich conducted the research with Cary Frydman, associate professor of finance and business economics at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. Their study was published this week in the journal Management Science.

The findings have implications for group behavior in politics, finance, fashion — any situation where there might be herd behavior, Krajbich said.

Story Source:
Materials provided by Ohio State University. Original written by Jeff Grabmeier. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.