If your group is making a decision that is based on information that is widely distributed among members,what steps should you take to avoid the shared information bias?

To avoid the shared information bias when your group is making a decision based on information that is widely distributed among members, you should take the following steps:

1. **Identify All Relevant Information**: Start by ensuring that all members are aware of the need to share unique information they may have. Create a comprehensive list of the information that needs to be considered for the decision-making process.

2. **Encourage Open Communication**: Foster an environment where all group members feel comfortable sharing their insights and perspectives. Encourage quieter members to speak up and ensure that dominant voices do not overshadow others.

3. **Assign Roles**: Designate roles such as a facilitator, note-taker, or devil's advocate to ensure that the discussion remains balanced and that all information is considered. This can help prevent dominant members from steering the conversation towards shared information only.

4. **Structured Sharing Process**: Implement a structured process for sharing information, such as round-robin sharing or brainstorming sessions, where each member has an equal opportunity to contribute information without interruption.

5. **Create Subgroups**: Divide the larger group into smaller subgroups to discuss the decision. This can help surface unique information as smaller groups can reduce the pressure to conform and encourage more open discussion.

6. **Use Decision Support Tools**: Utilize decision-making tools or software that allows members to anonymously contribute information. This can help mitigate the influence of hierarchy or social pressures.

7. **Prioritize Critical Information**: Make sure that the group identifies which pieces of information are critical to the decision-making process and focuses on discussing those in detail.

8. **Review and Summarize**: Periodically summarize the information that has been shared to ensure that all members are aware of the unique and shared information that has been discussed.

9. **Seek External Input**: If possible, bring in outside experts or stakeholders to provide additional perspectives that may not be represented within the group.

10. **Set Clear Objectives**: Establish clear objectives for the decision-making process, including the need to consider all available information, not just the information that is most readily available or agreed upon.

11. **Follow Up**: After the initial discussion, follow up with group members individually to see if they have any additional information or thoughts that were not shared during the group session.

12. **Reflection**: After the decision has been made, reflect on the process as a group to identify any instances of shared information bias and learn from them for future decision-making.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your group's decision-making process is comprehensive and considers all relevant information, thereby reducing the risk of shared information bias.