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Small group learning: Do group members' implicit theories of ability make a difference?

Beckmann, N.; Wood, R.E.; Minbashian, A.; Tabernero, C.

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Authors

R.E. Wood

A. Minbashian

C. Tabernero



Abstract

We examined the impact of members' implicit theories of ability on group learning and the mediating role of several group process variables, such as goal-setting, effort attributions, and efficacy beliefs. Comparisons were between 15 groups with a strong incremental view on ability (high incremental theory groups), and 15 groups with a weak incremental view on ability (low incremental theory groups). Groups worked on a computer-based management simulation. The task required the groups to learn the underlying structure of the simulation to be able to control the system effectively. High incremental theory groups set more challenging group goals, attributed their performance more to effort, developed stronger group efficacy, and displayed steeper learning trajectories than low incremental theory groups. Group goals mediated the impact of group members' implicit theories on group learning. Exploratory analyses of the group communication process revealed that members of the high incremental theory groups communicated more openly about the task and maintained a stronger task focus compared with members of the low incremental theory groups. Research on group learning benefits from a stronger individual differences perspective that incooperates variables such as implicit theories of ability as determinants of emerging group processes and outcomes.

Citation

Beckmann, N., Wood, R., Minbashian, A., & Tabernero, C. (2012). Small group learning: Do group members' implicit theories of ability make a difference?. Learning and Individual Differences, 22(5), 624-631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2012.06.007

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Oct 1, 2012
Deposit Date Jul 24, 2012
Publicly Available Date Aug 22, 2012
Journal Learning and Individual Differences
Print ISSN 1041-6080
Electronic ISSN 1873-3425
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 22
Issue 5
Pages 624-631
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2012.06.007
Keywords Implicit theories of ability, Goal-setting, Effort attributions, Efficacy beliefs, Small group learning.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1474644

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Copyright Statement
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Learning and individual differences. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Learning and individual differences, 22, 5, 2012, 10.1016/j.lindif.2012.06.007






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