Effects of acute stress on group decision-making: Taking stock and looking ahead

Abstract Drawing on 50 years of research, this review explores the effects of acute stress on group decision-making, emphasizing key theoretical perspectives and methodological challenges. While the impact of stress on individual decision-making is well-documented, group-level processes remain insufficiently studied. We critically examine the empirical status of two major theoretical frameworks—the groupthink model and the threat-rigidity hypothesis . Additionally, we review experimental studies on stress and group decision-making, highlighting key limitations, including the absence of validated stress induction methods, the conflation of stress with time pressure, and the lack of objective measures for group decision quality. To advance research in this area, we call for more rigorous designs that (a) incorporate validated stress induction techniques, (b) clearly distinguish between stress and time pressure, and (c) employ decision tasks that require collective decision-making and allow for objective quality assessment. The hidden profile paradigm is proposed as a valuable tool for investigating stress effects on group decision-making.