| Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences, Vol. 9, Iss. 2, Apr, 2005, pp. 175-207 @2005 Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology & Life Sciences Origins of Group Coordination: Nonlinear Dynamics and the Role of Verbalization Abstract: Coordination occurs when two or more people do the same
or complimentary tasks simultaneously; its explanation
game theory, nonlinear dynamics, and implicit learning
theory. In the experiment, 12 four-person groups were
allowed to discuss the coordination (card game) task
while performing it; 12 other groups worked nonverbally.
One to three group members were replaced during the game.
Split-plot ANOVA showed that verbalizing groups performed
better than nonverbalizing groups overall and showed more
acute coordination learning curves, but verbalization did
not compensate for the replacement of personnel. Groups
that changed one or two players showed positive coordination
transfer, but groups that changed three players did not.
Nonlinear regression for temporal dynamics within verbalizing
and nonverbalizing groups showed asymptotic stability for
initial coordination learning and transfer to a difficult
rule, a chaotic function when replacements were introduced,
and asymptotic stability again when the team with replacements
switched to the difficult rule. Keywords: coordination, synchronization, chaos, self-organization, work team, game theory, implicit learning |