The effect of self-disclosure in icebreaker exercises on open communication and psychological safety in group discussion.

Abstract

Objective. The research investigates the impact of self-disclosure in icebreaker activities on open communication within teams and explores the mediating role of psychological safety. Open communication is crucial for teamwork and decision-making. Group decision-making is susceptible to biases such as shared information bias, ownership bias, and confirmation bias, which hinder the effective sharing of information. Psychological safety is essential for creating an environment where team members feel confident to express their thoughts without fear of embarrassment or rejection. This psychological safety fosters open communication. Self-disclosure is critical in establishing trust and psychological safety within teams, which may lead to more open communication. Hypotheses state that 1) more self-disclosure will lead to more open communication and 2) the effect of self-disclosure on open communication is mediated by psychological safety. Method. The study employed an experimental design involving 42 participants. Experiments were done in groups of three (N =14). Self-disclosure is manipulated through an icebreaker exercise. Open communication is measured using a group discussion through a hidden profile task and a survey. Psychological safety is measured with a survey. Results. The study showed that high self-disclosure did not lead to more open communication, and there was no mediating effect of psychological safety. The study conducted a manipulation check for self-disclosure, indicating an unsuccessful manipulation. Conclusion. The findings pointed to a significant relationship between the initial preference of the group and the chosen candidate, emphasizing biases such as ownership and confirmation bias in decision-making processes. Implications of these biases and other alternative explanations are discussed.