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Susan G. Straus

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Publications by Susan G. Straus (bibliography)

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1997
 
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Straus, Susan G. (1997): Technology, Group Process, and Group Outcomes: Testing the Connections in Computer-Mediated and Face-to-Face Groups. In Human-Computer Interaction, 12 (3) pp. 227-266.

This article examines the effect of communication media on group processes and the consequent effect of processes on group cohesiveness, satisfaction, and productivity using mediated regression analysis. Data are based on Straus and McGrath (1994), in which 72 three-person groups worked on idea generation, intellective, and judgment tasks in either computer-mediated (CM) or face-to-face (FTF) discussions. Straus and McGrath found that in comparison to FTF groups, CM groups were less productive across tasks and expressed lower satisfaction in the judgment task. This article adds to findings about group outcomes by showing that CM groups expressed lower cohesiveness than did FTF groups. Analysis of communication processes shows that CM groups had higher proportions of task communication and disagreement and greater equality of participation. In contrast to prior reports that people using electronic communication are depersonalized, CM groups did not engage in more attacking behavior and they exchanged higher rates of supportive communication than did FTF groups. Mediated regression analysis reveals that the group process accounted for the effect of communication mode on cohesiveness and satisfaction but not on productivity. Results suggest that media effects on outcomes, as well as on processes such as task focus and equality of participation, are due to the rates by which CM and FTF groups operate and not necessarily because of any inherently depersonalizing feature of electronic communication.

© All rights reserved Straus and/or Taylor and Francis

1989
 
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Straus, Susan G. and Cooper, Russell S. (1989): Crew Structure, Automation, and Communication: Interaction of Social and Technological Factors on Complex Systems Performance. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 33rd Annual Meeting 1989. pp. 783-787.

The effects of automation and task group social structure on group communication and performance are investigated in a simulated flight experiment. Fifty, two-person crews flew a ninety minute mission in a fully instrumented, GAT-II simulator. Crews were composed to be either homogeneous or heterogeneous with respect to crew members' flight experience and age. Approximately half of the crews flew with the aid of automated control the other half flew manually. All cockpit Communications were recorded and subjected to content analysis. Based on the analysis of twenty-four transcripts, there was no overall difference in communication patterns as a function of crew composition. However, the results indicated that heterogeneous crews tended to exchange a higher ratio of task relevant to task irrelevant statements compared to homogeneous crews, but this tendency was moderated by automation level. This interaction corresponds to performance data that show enhanced performance for heterogeneous crews in the automated condition. Additional evidence and discussion suggest that group structure and interaction may contribute to the observed performance differences.

© All rights reserved Straus and Cooper and/or Human Factors Society

 
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Changes to this page (author)

17 Feb 2010: Modified
26 Jun 2007: Added
28 Apr 2003: Added

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May 21

Computer analyst to programmer: "You start coding. I'll go find out what they want."

-- Popular computer one-liner

 
 

Featured chapter

Read the fascinating history of Wearable Computing, told by its father, Steve Mann

Read Steve's chapter !

 
 

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