Resumen de The effects of reward criteria on the structure of interaction in problem solving groups

Thomas J. Saine, Douglas G. Bock

• Research by Gouran and Baird showed that informal groups had greater sequential structure of interaction than problem‐solving groups. The explanation was that informal discussion involves greater responsiveness among members to the contributions of others. Reward criteria were manipulated to affect cooperation and competition. The results of this study indicate that individual‐centered reward criteria generate greater overall structure than do group‐centered reward criteria. Individual‐centered groups had a higher frequency of argumentative analyses, although fewer statements of personal involvement than group‐centered groups. Contrary to predictions, competitive groups showed greater sequential structure than cooperative groups.