INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND GROUP PERFORMANCE IN PROBLEM SOLVING RELATED TO GROUP SIZE AND PREVIOUS EXPOSURE TO THE PROBLEM

摘要

In problem-solving, the relative efficiency of groups as compared with individuals is a function of the kind of problem, the nature of the group, and the size of the group. The few research reports comparing the efficiency of groups with that of individuals have been based on the solution of mathematical puzzles using an ad hoc group of size two, three, or four. Especially well-known is the 1932 research study of Marjorie E. Shaw (U). She utilized mathematical puzzles for which there is a known, or at least a knowable solution, with psychology students solving as individuals and also formed into ad hoc groups of four to solve the problem.