Implications of individual differences in the context of work teams.

Individual differences can have a great impact in a team's ability to solve problems and make decisions. Cooperation in small learning groups is expected to promote active learning because the differing opinions, ideas, suggestions and knowledge of other team members draw each learners' attention to more alternatives and force them more often to make decisions. Cooperation is an essential part of active learning (Slavin, 1997). Researchers have studied the relationship between personality characteristics and problem-solving strategies (…

…this process the actual decision is less complicated and often more successful. Many other differences such as power roles and achievement/affiliation goals are reduced because of the careful analysis and outlined process (Huitt, 1992). Finally, individuals learn to value alternative viewpoints or preferences by considering differences in others rather than as incorrect. Additionally, the development of an individual's decision-making capacity can be enhanced by advancing through the process with others in a group situation (Huitt, 1992).