The Impact of Group Interaction Styles on Problem-Solving Effectiveness

Abstract

Research on group interaction styles and problem-solving effectiveness suggests that group behavior can be analyzed in terms of three general styles: constructive, passive, and aggressive. Empirical studies, however, have tended to focus on only one or two of these styles in examining their relation to measures of problem-solving effectiveness. Using data based on 61 groups that participated in a simulated survival exercise, the research reported in this article compares the effects of all three styles on criteria of effectiveness (e.g., solution quality and acceptance). Consistent with the hypotheses, constructive styles are found to be positively related, and passive styles negatively related, to the effectiveness criteria. Aggressive styles are shown to be generally unrelated to solution quality but negatively related to solution acceptance. The results suggest that future empirical research as well as early team development interventions should consider the unique effects of different group interaction styles on problem-solving effectiveness.