A study of negotiation outcomes found that participants who took a short break before responding to an opening offer tended to reach agreements more favorable to themselves than those who responded immediately. The break did not need to involve discussion with advisors; even a few minutes of unrelated activity produced the effect. Participants in both groups expressed similar confidence in the offers they ultimately accepted.
Which conclusion most logically follows from the passage?
- A
Consultation with advisors is the only way to improve negotiation outcomes
- B
Immediate responses always lead to better agreements
- C
Confidence in a negotiated outcome reliably reflects the quality of that outcome
- Dcheck_circle
Brief delays in responding to offers may improve negotiation outcomes independently of any consultation
Explanation
Better outcomes from a short break, even without advisors, supports B. A contradicts equal confidence with unequal outcomes; C and D contradict the findings.