Individual and Group in Group Problem Solving The Valence Model Redressed

As a vehicle for comparing the group valence model's description of the group problem‐solving process with more individually oriented models, several versions of McPhee, Poole, and Seibold's (1982) valence distribution model were derived and examined in 42 decision‐making groups. Although the methods of the valence distribution model had predictive power, they appeared to be generally inferior to the group valence model. The latter consistently accounted for more of the decision‐making phenomena. Implications for the nature of the group decision‐making process are discussed.