When Two Heads Aren’t Better Than One: Conformity in a Group Activity
Loading...
Links to Files
Permanent Link
Collections
Author/Creator
Author/Creator ORCID
Date
2017
Type of Work
Department
Program
Citation of Original Publication
Fender, C.M. & Stickney, L.T. (2017). When Two Heads Aren’t Better Than One: Conformity in a Group Activity. Management Teaching Review, 2(1), 35-46.
Rights
Abstract
Group and team class decision-making activities often focus on demonstrating that
“two heads are better than one.” Typically, students solve a problem or complete
an assessment individually, then in a group. Generally, the group does better and
that is what the students learn. However, if that is all such an activity conveys, then
a significant teachable moment has been missed. It is often the case that a group
member has one or more correct answers that the group did not use, or perhaps
even outscores the group. The simple activity described here provides an opportunity
to discuss a number of reasons that can cause such conformity to happen, integrating
several areas of human psychology and behavior, and then segue into techniques to
prevent it.