COMPLEX PROBLEM-SOLVING IN SMALL-GROUPS - EFFECTS OF PRE-KNOWLEDGE, GROUP-STRUCTURE AND GROUP-INTERACTION

The effects of group structure, group interaction, and of the group members' competence or preknowledge on performance in computer-simulated dynamic decision making games were tested in two empirical studies. Study 1 yielded some evidence that group performance is predictable from individual performance levels (N = 9 three-member groups). Further, group performance in a game could be predicted from performance levels in a different game (N = 11 groups). In study 2, N = 12 groups of three university students in economic sciences significantly outperformed the groups observed in study 1. Against expectation, there was no difference in performance levels between groups working in a competence structure vs. an integrative structure with one member assigned as leader (N = 13 groups per condition). However, effects of group structure on coded interaction behavior, subjective ratings of group process and on selected decision-making variables were found. Some conclusions are drawn concerning support for group process and the assessment of individual differences in social interaction.