Title

Effects of openness, problem solving, and blaming on learning : an experiment in China

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Journal of Social Psychology

Publication Date

12-1-2005

Volume

145

Issue

6

First Page

629

Last Page

644

Keywords

Cooperation and competition, Decision making, Group and teams, Learning

Abstract

Researchers have considered interdependence and interaction among individuals and groups as critical for promoting learning in organizations. In an experiment with 80 participants in China, the present authors found that (a) open discussion compared with avoiding discussion and (b) problem solving compared with blaming stimulated the exploration, integration, and adoption of alternative ideas in addition to strengthening interpersonal relationships. The results also indicated the possibility that openness and problem solving have these effects by developing a perceived cooperative interdependence that encourages people to believe that incorporating alternative ideas can help them succeed. Avoidance and blaming, on the other hand, seemed to result in a competitive struggle to see who could impose their ideas on the other, leaving people committed to their original thinking.

DOI

10.3200/SOCP.145.6.629-644

Print ISSN

00224545

E-ISSN

19401183

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2005 Taylor & Francis

Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Tjosvold, D., Sun, H. F., & Wan, P. (2005). Effects of openness, problem solving, and blaming on learning: An experiment in China. Journal of Social Psychology, 145(6), 629-644. doi: 10.3200/SOCP.145.6.629-644

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