Neurophysiologic Patterns of Learning in Decision Groups

Recent advances in neurophysiological methods are providing IS researchers with new research opportunities. We deployed electroencephalograms (EEG) analyses to compare learning within two organizational forms: computer-mediated and face-to-face decision teams. We collected demographic, psychometric, simultaneous parallel EEG, and performance data from 118 undergraduate students who performed the Ethical Decision Challenge© as part of a face-to-face or a computer-mediated team. Organizational learning was derived from performance data registered at three points during the experiment: (1) individually prior to group discussion, (2) collectively as a group consensus, and (3) individually following the group discussion. The results revealed a significant difference between learning ability between face-to-face and computer-mediated team members, thus supporting propositions of media richness theory. Further, a comparison of brain patterns between face-to-face team members and computer-mediated team members revealed a significant difference in neural activity. Our findings also confirm the role of the left temporal lobe in learning and performance.