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Abstract:
We perform a laboratory experiment to study the challenges of collective action in groups that share goals but are subject to local and noisy information. We show that consensus on the correct action declines in larger networks with fewer local connections
and an asymmetric distribution of signals, where misinformation forms small stubborn pockets of incorrect beliefs. Individual characteristics also aff ect success: undergraduate students{who actively explore di fferent alternatives and are more willing to accept that their choice is potentially wrong{achieve coordination more eff ectively than their less adventurous and less malleable high school peers. Our findings explain persistent societal misconceptions such as vaccine hesitancy or climate denial and highlight the importance of designing better-informed communication networks to improve collective decision-making in a variety of contexts, including committee deliberations, team projects and public goods. Educational interventions that encourage exploration may also help communities better navigate complex decisions and achieve successful cooperation.