How seating impacts decisions

 

Did you know where people sit can have an impact on whether they’ll agree with you?

➡ If you want to improve the chances of consensus, arrange chairs in a circular formation.

➡ If you instead want people to retain their independence, set the chairs in an angular formation.

The difference is how the environment cues decision-making.

According to 2017 research, in a circular formation, our need for belonging is cued, so we’re more likely to be consensus driven.

In an angular formation, our need for uniqueness is cued, so we’re more likely to hold an independent position.

👉 Bottom line, pay attention to how and where people sit.

 

Learn more about how decisions are influenced by our environment.

 

Ref: Rui Zhu, Jennifer J. Argo, Exploring the Impact of Various Shaped Seating Arrangements on Persuasion, Journal of Consumer Research, Volume 40, Issue 2, 1 August 2013, Pages 336–349, https://doi.org/10.1086/670392