assembly bonus effect in psychology

 

Working  as a group

The assembly bonus effect is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when individuals work together in a group to complete a task, leading to an increase in motivation and effort among group members. This effect is often seen in settings where individuals are rewarded based on their contribution to a group task.

A commonly cited source is Collins and Guetzkow (1964). They noted: "An assembly effect occurs when the group is able to achieve collectively something which could not have been achieved by any member working alone or by a combination of individual efforts." (p. 58)

Karau and Williams (1993) reviewed the literature on social loafing, which has identified a reduction in effort and motivation when people work in a group, which would contradict a bonus effect.

Kathleen Propp (2006) noted the lack of evidence for the assembly bonus effect and suggested the importance of how communication is understood.

The assembly bonus effect has been attributed to several factors, including social facilitation (where the presence of others enhances performance), social comparison (where individuals compare themselves to others in the group), and the need for social approval and recognition.

Researchers need to explore under what conditions a bonus effect occurs in contrast to a social loafing effect.

Reference:

Collins, E. B., & Guetzkow, H. A social psychology of group processes for decision-making. New York: Wiley, 1964

Karau, S. J., & Williams, K. D. (1993). Social loafing: A meta-analytic review and theoretical integration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65(4), 681-706. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.65.4.681

Kathleen M. Propp, (2003) In Search of the Assembly Bonus Effect: Continued Exploration of Communication's Role in Group Memory, Human Communication Research, 29, 600–606, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2003.tb00858.x

Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

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