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

Dean William TJOSVOLD, Haifa F. SUN, Man Kei, Paulina WAN

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed) › Research › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)629-644
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Social Psychology
Volume145
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2005

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China
Learning
Research Personnel
Thinking

Keywords

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

Cite this

TJOSVOLD, Dean William ; SUN, Haifa F. ; WAN, Man Kei, Paulina. / Effects of openness, problem solving, and blaming on learning : an experiment in China. In: Journal of Social Psychology. 2005 ; Vol. 145, No. 6. pp. 629-644.
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TJOSVOLD, DW, SUN, HF & WAN, MKP 2005, 'Effects of openness, problem solving, and blaming on learning : an experiment in China', Journal of Social Psychology, vol. 145, no. 6, pp. 629-644. https://doi.org/10.3200/SOCP.145.6.629-644

Effects of openness, problem solving, and blaming on learning : an experiment in China. / TJOSVOLD, Dean William; SUN, Haifa F.; WAN, Man Kei, Paulina.

In: Journal of Social Psychology, Vol. 145, No. 6, 01.12.2005, p. 629-644.

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed) › Research › peer-review

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AU - TJOSVOLD, Dean William

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AU - WAN, Man Kei, Paulina

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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TJOSVOLD DW, SUN HF, WAN MKP. Effects of openness, problem solving, and blaming on learning : an experiment in China. Journal of Social Psychology. 2005 Dec 1;145(6):629-644. https://doi.org/10.3200/SOCP.145.6.629-644

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