Planning and performance in small groups : collective implementation intentions enhance group goal striving

Thürmer, J. Lukas; Wieber, Frank; Gollwitzer, Peter M.

doi:10.21256/zhaw-4963

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4963

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Planning and performance in small groups : collective implementation intentions enhance group goal striving
Authors:	Thürmer, J. Lukas Wieber, Frank Gollwitzer, Peter M.
DOI:	10.21256/zhaw-4963 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00603
Published in:	Frontiers in Psychology
Volume(Issue):	8
Issue:	603
Issue Date:	2017
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	Frontiers Research Foundation
ISSN:	1664-1078
Language:	English
Subjects:	Collective implementation intentions; Cooperation and interaction; Motivation; Physical persistence; Small group performance
Subject (DDC):	302: Social interaction
Abstract:	There are two key motivators to perform well in a group: making a contribution that (a) is crucial for the group (indispensability) and that (b) the other group members recognize (identifiability). We argue that indispensability promotes setting collective ("We") goals whereas identifiability induces individual ("I") goals. Although both goals may enhance performance, they should align with different strategies. Whereas pursuing collective goals should involve more cooperation, pursuing individual goals should involve less cooperation. Two experiments support this reasoning and show that planning out collective goals with collective implementation intentions (cIIs or "We-plans") relies on cooperation but planning out individual goals with individual implementation intentions (IIs or "I-plans") does not. In Experiment 1, three-member groups first formed a collective or an individual goal and then performed a first round of a physical persistence task. Groups then either formed a respective implementation intention (cII or II) or a control plan and then performed a second round of the task. Although groups with cIIs and IIs performed better on a physical persistence task than respective control groups, only cII groups interacted more cooperatively during task performance. To confirm the causal role of these interaction processes, Experiment 2 used the same persistence task and manipulated whether groups could communicate: When communication was hindered, groups with cIIs but not groups with IIs performed worse. Communication thus qualifies as a process making cIIs effective. The present research offers a psychology of action account to small group performance.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/14257
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY 4.0: Attribution 4.0 International
Departement:	School of Health Sciences
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Public Health (IPH)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Gesundheit

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Thürmer, J. L., Wieber, F., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2017). Planning and performance in small groups : collective implementation intentions enhance group goal striving. Frontiers in Psychology, 8(603). https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4963

Thürmer, J.L., Wieber, F. and Gollwitzer, P.M. (2017) ‘Planning and performance in small groups : collective implementation intentions enhance group goal striving’, Frontiers in Psychology, 8(603). Available at: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4963.

J. L. Thürmer, F. Wieber, and P. M. Gollwitzer, “Planning and performance in small groups : collective implementation intentions enhance group goal striving,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 8, no. 603, 2017, doi: 10.21256/zhaw-4963.

THÜRMER, J. Lukas, Frank WIEBER und Peter M. GOLLWITZER, 2017. Planning and performance in small groups : collective implementation intentions enhance group goal striving. Frontiers in Psychology. 2017. Bd. 8, Nr. 603. DOI 10.21256/zhaw-4963

Thürmer, J. Lukas, Frank Wieber, and Peter M. Gollwitzer. 2017. “Planning and Performance in Small Groups : Collective Implementation Intentions Enhance Group Goal Striving.” Frontiers in Psychology 8 (603). https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4963.

Thürmer, J. Lukas, et al. “Planning and Performance in Small Groups : Collective Implementation Intentions Enhance Group Goal Striving.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 8, no. 603, 2017, https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4963.