Shared Information, Cognitive Load, and Group Memory

TitleShared Information, Cognitive Load, and Group Memory
Publication TypeReport
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsR. Scott Tindale, Susan Sheffey
Document Number13684302
Pagination5
Abstract

One of the key findings concerning how groups process information is the 'common knowledge effect'-information shared by many group members plays a larger role in group process and performance than unshared information. However, in an information rich environment, assigning all information to all members may overload each member's cognitive capabilities. Thus, the question addressed here is how to optimally assign information to group members. Following a model proposed by Zajonc and Smoke (1959), we assessed the effects of information assignment redundancy and group interaction on group memory performance. Participants in five-person groups either received a full list of consonant-verb-consonant.