Collective Intelligence and Group Performance

Abstract

We review recent research on collective intelligence, which we define as the ability of a group to perform a wide variety of tasks. We focus on two influences on a group’s collective intelligence: (a) group composition (e.g., the members’ skills, diversity, and intelligence) and (b) group interaction (e.g., structures, processes, and norms). We also call for more research to investigate how social interventions and technological tools can be used to enhance collective intelligence.

Gender diversity and motivation in collaborative learning groups: the mediating role of group discussion quality

“…This direct association shows that next to the relational dimension, captured by the quality of group discussion, another (probably cognitive) mechanism is at play. Our results are in line with previous research on collective intelligence, showing that the proportion of women in groups is a strong positive predictor of collective intelligence both in face to face as well as computer mediated groups (Woolley et al 2015). Collective intelligence could therefore be the factor that explains the direct association between the proportion of women in the group and group performance in collaborative learning groups.…”

Collaborative Learning in Higher Education: Evoking Positive Interdependence

“…With respect to group composition, mixed-ability groups have been found to increase performance for students of lower ability, but this composition does not necessarily benefit high-ability students (Webb et al ., 2002). Equal participation, however, has been shown to be more important for students’ achievement than group composition, because students are more likely to use one another’s knowledge and skills fully when all students participate to the same extent (Woolley et al ., 2015). Heterogeneity, with respect to diversity of perspectives and styles, has been found to increase learning, particularly in groups working on tasks that require creativity (Kozhevnikov et al ., 2014).…”

Advice as a form of social influence: Informational motives and the consequences for accuracy

“…Demographic differences such as gender and ethnicity matter for a host of reasons, such as fairness and inclusiveness. But demographic diversity may not necessarily yield new ideas and information (Woolley, Aggarwal, & Malone, 2015).…”