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Knowledge of partner's ability as a moderator of group motivation gains: An exploration of the Köhler discrepancy effect.

Messé, Lawrence A., Hertel, Guido, Kerr, Norbert L., Lount, Robert B., Jr., Park, Ernest S. (2002) Knowledge of partner's ability as a moderator of group motivation gains: An exploration of the Köhler discrepancy effect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82 (6). pp. 935-946. ISSN 0022-3514. E-ISSN 1939-1315. (doi:10.1037/0022-3514.82.6.935) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:42437)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.6.935

Abstract

O. Köhler (1926, 1927) found that less able performers tried harder as team members under conjunctive task demands (Köhler motivation gain effect) and that the greatest gain occurred with moderately discrepant coworker abilities (Köhler discrepancy effect). Recent investigations have reproduced Köhler's overall motivation gain but not the discrepancy effect. The present research examined whether workers' foreknowledge of task abilities--present in Köhler's research, absent in contemporary studies--moderates the discrepancy effect. Participants worked alone or in 2-person teams under conjunctive task demands. Exp 1 manipulated foreknowledge of ability. Exp 2 manipulated discrepancy: a (confederate) teammate performed slightly, moderately, or substantially better. Both experiments found (1) overall motivation gains and (2) discrepancy moderation under foreknowledge conditions. Implications for understanding group motivation gains are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1037/0022-3514.82.6.935
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: M.L. Barnoux
Date Deposited: 19 Aug 2014 10:35 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:16 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/42437 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Kerr, Norbert L..

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