Betting Behavior in Sexually Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Groups

Groups of undergraduates, 4 males, 4 females, 3 males-1 female, or 3 females-1 male made bets in an individual condition (Phase I). One-half the groups were then transferred to a group condition in which Ss knew the bets of other group members and one-half continued to make bets in the individual condition (Phase II). In Phase I males were more risky than females. In Phase II Ss in the group condition were more risky than those in the individual condition and males were more risky than females in both the individual and group conditions. In the group condition males in all-male groups and with one female in the group shifted toward risk, but males with three females in the group shifted toward caution. In the group condition females in all-female groups were cautious, became slightly more risky with one male in the group, and showed a marked shift toward risk with three males in the group These results are similar to the Asch (1952) conformity studies and suggest that shifts toward risk or caution are due to conformity to group pressure.