Leadership in small groups: A mathematical approach.

Abstract

The broad purpose of this research was the investigation of the relationship between decision-making success and the likelihood of being voted "leader" (group decision maker) of a 3-man group. Markov models, based on extensions of concepts used in mathematical learning theory, provided the theoretical framework. Each trial of the experiment began with the selection of a leader by group vote, and ended after the designated leader made a decision for the group. Obtained and predicted results were compared for voting shifts, asymptotic leadership and state proportions, and learning trends. 5 different reinforcement groups were run and in only 1 of these groups were there major discrepancies between actual and expected results.