Presentation
When Not to Team: Evaluating Process Loss in the Context of Problem Structures and Constraints
DescriptionCollaboration is often assumed to enhance problem-solving, but that isn’t always the case. This study explores process loss, the performance drop when individuals work in teams compared to when their efforts are combined without interaction. We tested real and nominal (pooled individual) groups across four tasks varying in structure and constraint from clear-cut anagram solving to open-ended idea generation. Results revealed that real groups performed comparably to nominal ones on well-structured tasks, but showed steep declines in both output and creativity on ambiguous, ill-structured tasks. In particular, groups exploring alternative uses for everyday objects generated fewer and less diverse ideas. These findings suggest that while teamwork works well for tightly defined problems, it can stifle creativity when the task is open-ended. For brainstorming and innovation, asynchronous or hybrid methods may better preserve idea diversity. This work highlights when not to team: a critical insight for designing effective collaboration scenarios.
Event Type
Lecture
TimeWednesday, October 15th3pm - 3:20pm CDT
LocationGrand Hall I
Usability and System Evaluation
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