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The HoneyComb Paradigm for Research on Collective Human Behavior
Published on: January 19, 2019
Evidence for a collective intelligence factor in the performance of human groups
Anita Williams Woolley1, Christopher F Chabris, Alex Pentland
1Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. awoolley@cmu.edu
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 9, 2010
Summary
Researchers found a general collective intelligence factor ("c factor") in groups, independent of individual intelligence. Group success depends on social sensitivity and equal participation, not just individual smarts.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- General intelligence (g factor) is well-established in individual cognition.
- The existence of a similar collective intelligence factor for groups has not been systematically studied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether a general collective intelligence factor exists for groups.
- To identify predictors of group performance beyond individual member intelligence.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with a total of 699 participants.
- Participants worked in groups of two to five on various tasks.
- Group performance was analyzed for a general collective intelligence factor.
Main Results:
- Converging evidence supports a general collective intelligence factor (c factor).
- The c factor was not strongly correlated with average or maximum individual intelligence.
- Group performance correlated with average social sensitivity, equal conversational turn-taking, and proportion of females.
Conclusions:
- A general collective intelligence factor influences group task performance.
- Social and communication dynamics, rather than solely individual intelligence, are key to collective intelligence.
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