Effects of Group Size and Task Characteristics on Group Performance: A Test of Steiner's Model

Abstract

Two studies tested predictions of task-specific relationships between group size and performance based on Steiner's model. In the first study, 324 subjects were assigned to work units of 12, 5, or 10 persons. They worked on one additive and one disjunctive task. Results supported Steiner's model for the additive task but were not fully consistent with the model for the disjunctive task. A second study using 216 subjects in 2-or 0-person groups was conducted to determine whether participation patterns in large groups mediate relationships between group size and performance. When participation was required of all members, the predictions of Steiner's model were supported for both tasks.