TOWARD A GENERAL-MODEL OF SMALL-GROUP PRODUCTIVITY

Proposes a general model of small group performance that is designed to encompass a wide variety of models of group performance extant in the psychological literature. These existing models are shown to be special cases of the more general model proposed here, and in fact, this model is developed from a foundation of these more restricted models. In developing the general model, distinctions are made between single and multiple resources and between unique and redundant resources. The relationship between problem-solving tasks and decision-making tasks is demonstrated with the model. Some examples of the model's usefulness for the understanding of group processes, leadership, and social decision schemes are presented. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.