Shared information bias, also referred to as collective information sampling bias or common-information bias, is the tendency for group members to focus their discussions on information that is commonly known among them, while neglecting information that only some members are aware of. This bias can have detrimental effects on decision-making when critical unshared information is overlooked, leading to poorly informed conclusions.
A classic example of shared information bias occurred during NASA's Challenger disaster, where engineers had concerns about the O-rings in cold weather, but these concerns were not fully discussed in the meeting because most of the members focused on the shared information about the shuttle's launch schedule instead.
To mitigate shared information bias, groups can implement strategies such as encouraging diverse opinions, extending discussion times to ensure unshared information is explored, and reducing time pressures that lead to rushed consensus.