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Social Indispensability or Social Comparison: The Why and When of Motivation Gains of Inferior Group Members 1
Author(s) -
Hertel Guido,
Niemeyer Grit,
Clauss Andrea
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2008.00350.x
Subject(s) - psychology , task (project management) , social psychology , face (sociological concept) , outcome (game theory) , cognition , social cognition , mathematics , management , mathematical economics , neuroscience , sociology , economics , social science
In 2 experimental studies, social indispensability and upward social comparison were contrasted as potential triggers of motivation gains of inferior group members. Using a cognitive task in a computer‐supported environment, individual work was compared with conditions that enabled upward comparison only (coaction), or both upward comparison and social indispensability (conjunctive task). Moreover, working conditions (face‐to‐face vs. anonymous) and partner‐related performance feedback (contemporaneously vs. post‐task) were manipulated as potential moderators. Results revealed motivation gains only when partner feedback was contemporaneously available. In this case, upward‐comparison effects could be demonstrated during coaction. However, when participants' contribution determined a group outcome, their motivation was additionally increased, demonstrating social indispensability effects. Finally, motivation gains were generally higher during face‐to‐face compared to anonymous work.