Effects of External and Internal Competition on Group Problem Solving Processes and Outcomes

Consistent with Deutsch (1949), this study on group problem solving finds a positive relationship between intergroup competition and intragroup cooperative goal interdependence. Consistent with Tjosvold (1998), this study finds a positive relationship between cooperative goal interdependence and constructive controversy, a negative relationship between intragroup competition (competitive goal interdependence) and constructive controversy, and a positive relationship between intragroup competition and destructive controversy. However, contrary to predictions based on Tjosvold (1998), constructive controversy was negatively related to quality of ideas, whereas destructive controversy was positively related to this outcome measure. Consistent with Tjosvold (1998), constructive controversy was positively related to the outcome measures quantity of ideas and future group commitment. As far as the above results are inconsistent with predictions, this can be explained by the finding that destructive controversy appears to consist of two components. One component can be described as 'rigidly adhering to one's own position' and the other one as 'severely criticizing the position of other group members'. A good fitting causal model shows that only the first component is significantly and positively related to quality of ideas, and that only the second component is significantly and negatively related to future group commitment.