A laboratory study utilizing sixteen three-man groups varying in member trait composition was executed using measures of group task behavior as well as group performance. The research suggests the fruitfulness of employing measures of group composition, task behavior, and group performance simultaneously. The data suggest that the two group member traits studied, remote associates proficiency and social differentiation had an effect on group performance by shaping the quantity and distribution of both evaluative and elaborative behaviors of the groups. The traits also had an effect on group performance by molding the amount of group conflict generated over the discussion of alternative solutions to group problems.
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