Bidirectional Feedback Mechanism in Group Decision-Making: A Quantum Probability Theory Model Based on Interference Effects

Feedback in group decision-making (GDM) is an effective procedure for eliminating preference inconsistencies among experts. As the core of GDM, feedback controls the progress and cost of the process. However, the current feedback model seldom considers interference effects caused by the interaction among experts. In addition, the stubbornness of experts to change preferences through interaction is different. This study proposes a bidirectional feedback model that considers interference effects. The model integrating quantum probability theory (QPT) into a feedback mechanism has greater flexibility and is more conducive to revealing modern cognitive psychology. First, experts were classified into concordant and stubborn discordant groups according to their personality parameters. Bidirectional feedback was proposed for a stubborn discordant group to improve the efficiency of feedback process and reduce the consensus-reaching cost. QPT was then used to describe the probability of experts modifying their preferences during the game process. Combining the interference value determined by the quantum probability with the feedback mechanism, a bidirectional feedback model driven by a minimum feedback control parameter is proposed to ensure that a certain consensus level can be achieved with minimal adjustment. The proposed feedback mechanism considers interference effects produced by experts in the interaction and can capture the feelings of conflict and compromise.