Communication and Group Cognitive Complexity

This paper explores the effect of communication (number of task-related and non-task related group arguments) on the emergence of collective cognition in collaborative learning groups. We hypothesized that communication has an inverted U shape association with group cognitive complexity (GCC) and that group member familiarity moderates this non-linear association. We also tested whether communication mediates the effect of group size and gender diversity on GCC. We tested these hypotheses in a sample of 509 students, organized in 106 groups and asked them to participate in a group cognitive mapping session. Our findings supported the non-linear association between communication and GCC, yet the moderation hypotheses received no support. Finally, our results supported the mediation claims and showed that the effect of group size and gender diversity on GCC was mediated by task-related communication.