Information Storing and Creative Information Processing in Groups

虽然关于问题解决和决策的讨论已经积累了很多，但这些讨论仅限于个人层面。本文在前人相关研究成果的基础上，对群体水平的PS和DM过程特征进行了新的描述。通过将群体层面的PS和DM描述为三个步骤的信息加工过程，每个步骤又分为两个子步骤，从而使几个重要问题变得清晰。第一步（问题识别）包括“问题识别”和“框架（概念化）的问题。第二个（创建备选方案）包括“获取信息”和“存储信息”。第三个（选择选项）包括“信息检索”和“操纵和使用信息”。“这三个步骤之后就是处决。众所周知，以前关于方案支助和决策管理的讨论局限于群体信息处理的最后一步。本文还介绍了小组成员的问题框架对问题解决和信息加工的影响的实验结果。最后提出了未来的研究需求和一些理论和实践建议。

Although many discussions abut problem-solving (PS) and decision-making (DM) have been accumulated, those were limited to individual level. In this paper, characteristics of group level processes of PS and DM are newly delineated with referring to previous related research findings which are still scarce. Several important pointsbecome clear up through describing the group level's PS and DM as the sequential information processing processes that have three steps.Each step has two substeps. The first step (problem recognition) includes 'problem identification' and 'framing (conceptualizing) the problems.' The second (creation of solution alternatives) consists of 'acquiring information' and 'storing information.' The third (selection of alternatives) includes 'information retrieval' and 'manipulating and using information.' Execution follows after these three steps. It is well understood that previous discussions on PS and DM restrictively focus on the final step of information processing by groups. In this report, results of the experimental study examining the effects of group members'framing about problem on their problem-solving and information processing were also described. Future research needs and several theoretical and practical suggestions were presented.