Roundtable discussions - but does the table need to be round?

A common phrase amongst work teams is to have a “roundtable discussion.” King Arthur of England and the Knights of the Roundtable became legendary in the Middle Ages. Around the table, decisions were made. Are roundtable discussions now just a phrase or is their something more to it.

Something more, say Canadian researchers at the Alberta University and the University of British Columbia (The Times, June 20, 2013). Researchers, documented in their study in the Journal of Consumer Research, sat volunteers around different shaped tables. Then they analysed their reactions to a variety of advertising.

Researchers found that if people were seated in rows facing each other (at a rectangular table), they were more likely to display an individual approach to advertising, instead of a team or group approach. Angular tables, such as rectangular tables, resulted in people identifying more with adverts portraying images of individuals or mavericks. 

Researchers found that people seated in a circle or oval were more positive about adverts that displayed images of groups (such as family groups or clusters of friends). Round tables made people less argumentative and more cooperative, said the researchers.

Researchers maintain that, subconsciously, the seating arrangement seems to bring out different attitudes and characteristics, from conflict to compliance. The geometric shape seems to impact consumers on the need to be individual or the need to be unique.

The psychology of seating arrangements may also be useful to know when forming arrangements in waiting rooms, classrooms, restaurants, work meetings, and even for wedding receptions.