IMPROVING DECISION QUALITY IN THE SMALL-GROUP - THE ROLE OF THE REMINDER

The assumption that the quality of group decisions depends on satisfyi ng certain requisite communication functions underpins much research o n small groups. Paradoxically, even when groups are knowledgeable abou t required functions, interactional and situational constraints can in terfere with their use. This study tested whether imposing a reminder function into the group ensures a decision process that optimizes grou p effectiveness. Results indicate that groups trained in decision proc esses produce higher quality decisions than do untrained groups but th at trained groups with nonleader reminders produce significantly highe r quality decisions than do either trained or untrained groups.