Group Processes and Task Effectiveness in a Soviet-American Expedition Team

Abstract

A 12-person Soviet-American Bering Bridge expedition team was studied overthe 61 days of their trek bydogsled and cross-country ski from the Chukotka region of Siberia, across the Bering Straits, to Alaska. The group was instructed to complete a daily effectiveness measure each evening that assessed the perception of the emotional climate of the group and relationships to task effectiveness. Members participated in a structured interview at the end of the expedition. Perceived faimess of daily task assignments was negatively related to number of disagreements with aher team members. The extent to which athers went out of their way to help another was positively associated with perceptions of faimess in daily task assignments and how friendly other team members were. The planned stops in villages along the way to promote international harmony enhanced the intemational objectives of the expedition but had a negative impact on group cohesiveness. The ability of te group to meet its objectives despite frequent episodes promoting a negative emotional climate was discussed.

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