A Study of Situational (Cooperative/Competitive) and Personality ("High" and "Low" Participation) Factors on the Role Enactment of Human Relations Problems

Abstract

Individuals were selected according to their participation rates in a large group discussion. The effect of "high" and "low" participation on their performance in a subsequent triadic group problem-solving situation was measured using Bales' Interaction Process Analysis (Bales, 1950). The situation was manipulated by varying the conditions of cooperation and competition under which the individuals interacted. The effect of the interaction between the dimension of personality (participation rate) and the situation was also measured. It was found that there was a significant behavioral difference in the interaction of the "high" and "low" participators; that personality and situationalfactors were important determinants in specified ways of behavioral differences. The implications of this research for training personnel are discussed.

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