Maintaining Transient Diversity Is a General Principle for Improving Collective Problem Solving.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Social Psychology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Human teams excel at complex problem-solving, with consensus-building mechanisms enhancing solution quality.
• Many consensus mechanisms function by temporarily increasing solution diversity within the group.

Approach:

• This study argues that mechanisms increasing transient diversity, operating at individual, interpersonal, and group levels, improve collective problem-solving.
• Evidence is synthesized from empirical studies and formal models (e.g., multiarmed bandits, NK landscapes, evolutionary-transmission models).

Key Points:

• Transient diversity is boosted by expanding the solution search space or slowing information diffusion, delaying consensus.
• Increased transient diversity enhances solution quality at the expense of time.
• Exceptions arise in simple problems solvable by trial-and-error or when team incentives are misaligned.

Conclusions:

• Mechanisms promoting transient diversity are crucial for collective intelligence and innovation.
• Understanding these dynamics has implications for problem-solving, innovation, and cumulative cultural evolution.
• This framework offers insights into optimizing group performance in complex tasks.