Individual versus triadic performance on a unidimensional complementary task as a function of initial ability level.

1 June 1969

journal article
Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Vol. 12 (2) , 144-150
https://doi.org/10.1037/h0027572

Abstract

Testing a theory of the relationship of ability to group problem solving on a unidimensional complementary task, 528 college students were administered the Terman Concept Mastery Test. After being trichotomized as high (H), medium (M), or low (L) ability, they retook the test working with 2 partners in 1 of the 10 possible ability combinations of triads HHH, HHM, . . . LLL. Control H, M, and L Ss retook the test as individuals. The predicted order of improvement scores from the1st-2nd test for the 3 ability levels was: (high) HHH > (HHM = HHL) > (H = HHM = HML = HHL); (medium) HHM > (HMM = HML) > MMM > MML > (M = MLL); (low) HHL > (HML = HLL > MML > MLL > (L = LLL). The predicted order of absolute 2nd test performance was: HHH > (HHM = HHL) > (H =HMM = HML = HLL) > MMM > MML > (M = MLL) > (L = LLL). The predicted relative 2nd-test differences for triads and individuals of comparable ability levels was: (HHH - H) > (MMM - M > (LLL - L). Results support all 3 predictions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords

GROUP DYNAMICS

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