SOCIAL-COMPARISON AND GOAL-SETTING IN BRAINSTORMING GROUPS

Two studies were conducted to examine the influence of individual and group goal setting on brainstorming performance. Results from the stud ies indicated that the individual goals of nominal participants were h igher than the individual goals of interactive participants. Group goa l setting by consensus led to the lowest goals. There was no influence of goal setting on group brainstorming performance. However, particip ants who set goals rated their individual performance more favorably t han did participants who did not set goals. The low group goals set by interactive groups are discussed in terms of assumptions made regardi ng the ability of other group members and the detrimental effects of g roup interaction.