3. A researcher finds that group brainstorming results in fewer total ideas than the number of ideas generated from the same number of people submitting their ideas on an individual basis. What is the explanation for this finding?
Answer: C
Groups have dominant members that participate more than others.
This finding can be explained by the presence of dominant members in a group setting, who tend to overshadow quieter participants, leading to fewer total ideas being generated compared to individual submissions.
A) Group members ignore some of the people in the group.
While it is possible that some group members may not contribute as much due to being ignored, this explanation does not fully account for the dynamics of group brainstorming. Ignoring members might occur, but it is the dominance of certain individuals that more significantly impacts the overall idea generation.
B) Groups bring members diverse experiences into the group.
Diverse experiences can enhance group discussions, but this aspect does not directly explain why fewer ideas are produced. In fact, diversity can lead to a richer pool of ideas, which contradicts the finding that fewer total ideas result from group brainstorming.
C) Groups have dominant members that participate more than others.
This explanation accurately reflects the phenomenon observed in group brainstorming. Dominant individuals often monopolize the conversation, leading to a situation where only a subset of ideas is shared, thereby reducing the overall number of ideas generated by the group compared to individuals working independently.
D) Groups allow members to express only their best ideas.
This statement suggests that group members are selective in sharing ideas, but it does not explain the decrease in total ideas generated. In fact, individuals may feel more encouraged to share a wider range of ideas when working alone, as there is less pressure to present only the best ideas.
Conclusion
The presence of dominant members in group settings significantly impacts the total number of ideas generated, as these individuals often overshadow others, resulting in a limited range of contributions. This contrasts with individual submissions, where each person can freely express all their ideas, leading to a greater quantity overall. Thus, option C is the definitive explanation for the researcher's findings.