Skip to main content

On the Virtues of Assuming Minimal Differences in Information Processing in Individuals and Groups

Kerr, Norbert L., Niedermeier, K. E., Kaplan, M. F. (2000) On the Virtues of Assuming Minimal Differences in Information Processing in Individuals and Groups. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 3 (2). pp. 203-217. ISSN 1368-4302. (doi:10.1177/1368430200003002006) (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:42456)

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/10.1177/1368430200003002006

Abstract

The metaphor of groups as information processors has been gaining in popularity. If this metaphor’s utility is to be fully exploited, it is first necessary to distinguish - conceptually, theoretically, and empirically - when and how information processing in groups is any different from information processing in individuals. In this paper, several varieties or levels of group information processing are first conceptually distinguished. It is argued that differences between individual and group information processing which are manifest in differences between individual and group output are of greatest interest. However, it is further argued that such individual-group differences in output are not unfailing indicators of such interesting differences in processing. Two empirical illustrations are provided. It is further argued that (a) predictive models assuming little or no individual-group difference in information processing are particularly useful for detecting genuine instances of distinctive group information processing, and (b) that social combination models (such as Davis’ social decision scheme model, 1973) provide one particularly useful class of such models.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1368430200003002006
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 13:35 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:16 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/42456 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Kerr, Norbert L..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.