Production blocking

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People in interactive, brainstorming groups generally produce fewer and less creative ideas than they would have if they were working individually. [1] Production blocking, the tendency for one individual during a group discussion to block or inhibit other people from offering ideas, is a major reason for this. [2]

Production blocking occurs when people are prevented from thinking or participating because they are listening to other people instead. For example, if one person in a six-person group is talking about his or her idea, then the other five people are "blocked" and less able to provide their own creative input. [3] Another factor to consider is that in group discussions, individuals may end up having off-topic conversations with other members. This can lead to production blocking because group members are not contributing to the goal of generating ideas.

Production blocking is a form of distraction. It differs from both evaluation apprehension and social loafing, two other factors that can cause people to produce fewer ideas in real, interactive groups than those in nominal groups. With evaluation apprehension, individuals may be reluctant to share their suggestions, fearing that they may be negatively criticized. [4] With social loafing, they may not share ideas because they believe other group members will do so instead. [5]

Methods to decrease production blocking

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References

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  2. 1 2 Diehl, M., & Stroebe, W. (1991). "Productivity loss in idea-generating groups: Tracking down the blocking effect". Interpersonal Relations and Group Processes: 392–403.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  4. 1 2 Straus, S.G., Parker, A.M., & Bruce, J. B. (2011). "The group matters: A review of processes and outcomes in intelligence analysis". Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice. 12 (2): 128–146. doi:10.1037/a0022734.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. Harkins, Stephen G.; Jackson, Jeffrey M. (1985-12-01). "The Role of Evaluation in Eliminating Social Loafing". Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 11 (4): 457–465. doi:10.1177/0146167285114011. ISSN   0146-1672. S2CID   145542563.
  6. Henningsen, D.D., & Henningsen, M.L.M. (2013). "Generating ideas about the uses of brainstorming: Reconsidering the losses and gains of brainstorming groups relative to nominal groups". Southern Communication Journal. 73 (1): 42–55. doi:10.1080/1041794X.2012.717684. S2CID   145293729.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. Nijstad, B.A., Stroebe, W., & Lodewijkx, H.F.M. (2003). "Production blocking and the idea generation:Does blocking interfere with cognitive processes?". Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 39 (6): 531–548. doi:10.1016/s0022-1031(03)00040-4.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. Goncalo, Jack A., & Kim, Sharon H. (2010). "Distributive Justice Beliefs and Group Idea Generation: Does a Belief in Equity Facilitate Productivity?". Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 46 (5): 836–840. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.476.4948 . doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2010.03.007.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)