TY - JOUR
T1 - Toward Atheory of Automated Group Work
T2 - The Deindividuating Effects of Anonymity
AU - Jessup, Leonard M.
AU - Connolly, Terry
AU - Tansik, David A.
PY - 1990/8
Y1 - 1990/8
N2 - Recent developments in information systems technology have made it possible for individ- uals to work together anonymously using networked personal computers. Use of one such technology, the Group Decision Support System, is growing quickly. However, empirical GDSS research is only beginning to emerge, and, as of yet, this literature lacks a sound guiding theory. In this article we propose a theory of anonymous interaction. Grounded in social psychological research in deindividuation and sociallcognitive loafing, we explain anonymous GDSS interaction. Evidence is provided to suggest that anonymity has deindividuating effects on group process and can, therefore, influence group outcomes in several ways.
AB - Recent developments in information systems technology have made it possible for individ- uals to work together anonymously using networked personal computers. Use of one such technology, the Group Decision Support System, is growing quickly. However, empirical GDSS research is only beginning to emerge, and, as of yet, this literature lacks a sound guiding theory. In this article we propose a theory of anonymous interaction. Grounded in social psychological research in deindividuation and sociallcognitive loafing, we explain anonymous GDSS interaction. Evidence is provided to suggest that anonymity has deindividuating effects on group process and can, therefore, influence group outcomes in several ways.
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U2 - 10.1177/1046496490213003
DO - 10.1177/1046496490213003
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84964184836
SN - 1046-4964
VL - 21
SP - 333
EP - 348
JO - Small Group Research
JF - Small Group Research
IS - 3
ER -