Accession Number:

ADA210553

Title:

A Theory of Collective Induction. Final Report

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 1 Jun 1986-31 May 1989

Corporate Author:

ILLINOIS UNIV AT URBANA DEPT OF PSYCHOLOGY

Personal Author(s):

• Laughlin, Patrick R.

Report Date:

1989-07-03

Pagination or Media Count:

12.0

Abstract:

The mission of this contract was to develop and test a theory of collective induction, the cooperative search for descriptive, predictive, and explanatory generalizations, rules, and principles. The report consists of five parts 1 a general theory of group problem solving and decision making in the form of four postulates 2 competitive tests of the predictions of 20 a priori social combination models for 200 four-person groups on a rule induction task 3 an a posteriori theory of collective induction in the form of three further postulates to account for the social combination processes of these 200 groups 4 competitive tests of the predictions of these three postulates as a 21st a consideration of the generality of the theory. Keywords Collective induction Induction Decision making.

Descriptors:

• *INDUCTION SYSTEMS
• DECISION MAKING
• GROUP DYNAMICS
• PROBLEM SOLVING
• SEARCHING
• TEST AND EVALUATION
• THEORY

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Psychology

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE