Effect of Problem Variation on Group Problem-Solving Efficiency under Constrained Communication

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Abstract
Two experiments were conducted, using the common target game with three-man groups. Members could not communicate with each other and received feedback only on group, not individual performance. In Exp. I, the 18 groups that moved from one version of the problem to the next after only a single trial (moving target) achieved a solution system significantly more quickly than did the 19 groups that worked on each verson of the problem until they solved it before moving to a new version (fixed target). Exp. II, using a random arrangement of targets rather than the systematic arrangement of Exp. 1, replicated the results, on 7 and 9 groups, respectively. It is concluded that factors responsible for the superiority of moving target presentation are: (1) encouragement of a set to shift, (2) avoidance of a handicapping “response-hypothesis” orientation, and (3) emphasis on developing a system rather than solving a particular problem.