David A. Vollrath

The Emerging Conceptualization of Groups as Information Processors

A selective review of research highlights the emerging view of groups as information processors. In this review, the authors include research on processing objectives, attention, encoding, storage, retrieval, processing, response, feedback, and learning in small interacting task groups. The groups as information processors perspective underscores several characteristic dimensions of variability in group performance of cognitive tasks, namely, commonality-uniqueness of information, convergence-diversity of ideas, accentuation-attenuation of cognitive processes, and belongingness-distinctiveness of members. A combination of contributions framework provides an additional conceptualization of information processing in groups. The authors also address implications, caveats, and questions for future research and theory regarding groups as information processors.

Memory performance by decision-making groups and individuals

Abstract Four-person groups and individuals performed memory and decision tasks in an investigation of the social processing of information. As predicted, groups recalled and recognized information better than individuals across a variety of measures and decision conditions. Predictions from various models of group decision-making and problem-solving were compared to group and individual memory responses. No set of predictions closely matched the observed data, suggesting that memory tasks may foster a social process unlike those observed heretofore. Memory responses also indicated that groups check individual errors and exaggerate individual response tendencies.

The Protestant work ethic-conservatism paradox: beliefs and values in work and life

Abstract Consistent with the view that work and other life domains are linked via a personss overall value orientation, previous research has found that the Protestant work ethic (PWE) is positively associated with conservatism. A conceptual paradox in this relationship emerges from Webers (1930) treatment of the PWE and the spirit of capitalism. An attempt is made to resolve the paradox by exploring the moderating effect of economic sector membership on the PWE-conservatism relationship. In the questionnaire responses of 155 graduate and undergraduate students, economic sector did not significantly moderate the PWE-conservatism relationship. Particular relationships among PWE, conservatism, religiousness, preferences for work outcomes, and terminal values also were examined. Results indicate a need to assess the fields seemingly sole reliance on the PWE construct to study work beliefs and values.

Comparing the Structure of Individual and Small Group Perceptions

The study reported examines the general assumption that perceptions of stimuli by individuals acting alone match those of interacting groups. This assumption contradicts arguments that groups effectively restructure the organization of the perception of stimuli. These two views were compared in a multidimensional scaling analysis of the structure in group and individual perceptions of crimes. Individuals and four-person groups made paired comparisons of the similarity of 12 crimes. Perceptual judgments by individuals and interacting groups were in general quite similar, providing little support for the cognitive restructuring hypothesis. The results were discussed in terms of pooling and consensus processes that occur during group information processing.

“Thought Experiments” and Applied Social Psychology

One of the key functions of applied social psychological research is to provide policymakers with information relevant to potential outcomes associated with new or changing policies. Unfortunately, most policy decisions are made in a limited time frame, which rarely allows for appropriate studies to be conducted. Thus, if research results are used at all in policy decisions, they are usually based on extrapolations from previous research. However, the circumstances surrounding previous research endeavors rarely provide a close match to the current situation. This has led some to doubt the efficacy of social psychological research for informing social policy (e.g., Gergen, 1973; Hendrick, 1976). For example, the U.S. Supreme Court recently made a ruling on the use of “death-qualified” juries that conflicted with the majority of psychological research findings (Bersoff, 1987). The lack of research directly addressing the question involved in that specific case (whether the presence of jurors opposed to the death penalty would have influenced the final jury verdict) was cited as one reason for ignoring the previous findings.