The term "risky shift" is used to describe the tendency of groups to make a collective decision that is less conservative than the members might make as individuals. Previous research on this subject has been based on three analytical categories: demographic makeup of groups, group familiarity with the task and information, or individual personalities. The amount of time allotted to a discussion has been considered as a factor that might determine whether one group might demonstrate more risky shift than another. One study tested the hypothesis that groups with very short discussion time would be more likely to reveal risky shift in their decisions than those who had more time for discussion. Results of questionnaires that evoked individual choices on certain dilemmas do not, however, support the hypothesis and, further, give rise to questions about the significance of the risky shift phenomenon. (RN)