Toward an Understanding of Macrocognition in Teams: Predicting Processes in Complex Collaborative Contexts

    Authors

    S. M. Fiore; M. A. Rosen; K. A. Smith-Jentsch; E. Salas; M. Letsky;N. Warner

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Hum. Factors

    Keywords

    MEDICAL DECISION-MAKING; SHARED MENTAL MODELS; TRANSACTIVE MEMORY; COGNITIVE ARTIFACTS; GROUP-PERFORMANCE; EXTENDED MIND; REPRESENTATIONS; COMMUNICATION; METAANALYSIS; INFORMATION; Behavioral Sciences; Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics; Psychology, ; Applied; Psychology

    Abstract

    Objective: This article presents a model for predicting complex collaborative processes as they arise in one-of-a-kind problem-solving situations to predict performance outcomes. The goal is to outline a set of key processes and their interrelationship and to describe how these can be used to predict collaboration processes embedded within problem-solving contexts. Background: Teams are increasingly called upon to address complex problem-solving tasks in novel situations. This represents a domain of performance that to date has been underrepresented in the research literature. Method: Multidisciplinary theoretical and empirical literature relating to knowledge work in teams is synthesized. Results: A set of propositions developed to guide research into how teams externalize cognition and build knowledge in service of problem solving is presented. First, a brief overview of macrocognition in teams is provided to distinguish the present work from other views of team cognition. Second, a description of the foundational theoretical concepts driving the theory of macrocognition in teams presented here is provided. Third, a set of propositions described within the context of a model of macrocognition in teams is forwarded. Conclusion: The theoretical framework described in this article provides a set of empirically testable propositions that can ultimately guide practitioners in efforts to support macrocognition in teams. Application: A theory of macrocognition in teams can provide guidance for the development of training interventions and the design of collaborative tools to facilitate knowledge-based performance in teams.

    Journal Title

    Human Factors

    Volume

    52

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    203

    Last Page

    224

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000281796800006

    ISSN

    0018-7208

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