An Oscillation Model of Opinion Expression During Group Discussion

Objective: This article investigates patterns of opinion expression in small discussion groups. Drawing from the oscillation model of idea generation during group discussion (Wilson et al., 2022), we examined patterns of opinion expression and considered whether and how those patterns are related to a group’s opinion profile (an aggregate of opinions within groups) generated prior to discussion. Method: Groups discussed the psychological characteristics of a target individual. Discussions were recorded and transcribed. Opinion strength and polarity were measured using opinion mining software. The analysis used cross-classified dynamic structural equation modeling to examine variance accounted for in opinion expression by group and speaking turn. Results: Opinion expression is positively associated within groups (Hypothesis 1), and the association between opinion expression in adjacent speaking turns varied, indicating oscillation (Hypotheses 2 and 3). Mean opinion expression is positively associated with the mean group opinion profile (Hypothesis 4). The variance of the group opinion profile was not associated with variance of opinion expression (Hypothesis 5). Conclusions: Opinion expression exhibits irregular oscillation in two ways, the first of which is the association among adjacent speaking turns and the second is the trend in opinion expression. Discussion addresses implications for understanding and modeling the dynamics of small group discussion.