Group problem solving: if we could save the Earth, how would that be done?

Abstract

Characterizing something as a problem commits us to coping with the problem in a problem-solving mode. Furthermore, while individuals might make a difference, a large-scale task such a saving the Earth would call for a group problem-solving configuration. Communication, cooperation, shared vision and negotiation introduce new complexity and often unanticipated emerging phenomena. If group members are selected to provide divergent views and if they respect each other and are willing to co-operate, the unanticipated emerging phenomena are likely to be extremely valuable. Groups may include not only individuals and roles, but also abstract agents such as corporations or ethnic units with their own set of cultures, values, and power interests. Environmental, political, commercial and family problems are typical of those that have to be addressed in a group context. We had a class of 14 students engaged in group problem-solving. Our main observation of this self-directed, self-organizing group was that they easily got side-tracked and they lacked the motivation to stick to the original task of problem solving. A good deal of effort went into group self-maintenance activities. This behavior parallels the state of climax communities in an ecosystem. Striking a balance between effort spent on self-maintenance and productive output is a managerial problem. Optimal solutions to this problem may not exist in a self-organizing, self-maintaining and self-managing group. The net output of the problem-solving process may not necessarily be a solution but rather a better-thinking problem-solver.