Group Influence on Individual Task Performance

Abstract

Psychologists have long had an interest in how being in a group affects task performance. Because many tasks are performed in social settings, a thorough understanding of the processes by which the group context influences task performance is important for both theoretical and practical reasons. Much research has focused on group problem-solving and group productivity and has been summarized by Davis (1969), Steiner (1972), Hackman and Morris (1975), and Hoffman (1965). The focus of this chapter, however, is on social settings in which individuals perform their own tasks “independent” of the others present. In this situation, individuals typically do not interact or share information as in the case of other group problem-solving and task performance paradigms (cf. Steiner, 1972). Many real-life settings such as athletic events, classrooms, and work environments have this feature. Research employing this coactive or additive paradigm has the advantage of permitting a relatively precise study of the influence of group variables on task performance unencumbered by the complexities of group interaction. Thus, such research provides basic information important for understanding effects in more complex group problem-solving and performance paradigms.