Group Discussion and Individual Creativity

Summary

The effects of prior group discussion on individual creativity were examined in two experiments using male and female undergraduates. In Experiment 1, Ss (N = 179) who responded after group discussion produced more responses, but the overall group divergent production was reduced. Ss seemed to be copying each other's responses, but the group discussion led to a lower total number of different responses being produced by the group than by a comparable number of individuals working alone. In Experiment 2, Ss (N = 44) who received a prior group discussion experience performed more creatively on a subsequent divergent thinking test.