Shared Cognition and Participation in Small Groups

Abstract

The extent to which participants hold similar notions of an idealized group member was expected to moderate the effect of information quantity on individual rates of participation. Participants responded privately in writing to the psychological profile and ideal group member tasks, then participated in discussion in groups of three. Individual responses to the psychological profile task were coded for information quantity, whereas data from the group member task was assessed for similarity within groups. Analysis revealed that similarity of the ideal group member moderated the effect of one’s information resources on substantive (i.e., task relevant) and nonsubstantive participation. Discussion focuses on the conditions under which individuals are likely to participate actively in group interaction.