A discussion of the cognitive load in collaborative problem-solving

Abstract Collaborative problem-solving is inherent to complex participatory systems. Supporting collaborative problem-solving is challenging. Problem-solving, like all knowledge-based collaborative effort, requires significant cognitive effort. Understanding the cognitive load involved is important for the design of group support techniques and tools. This paper presents results on cognitive load related to problem-solving in the decision-making phase, in which alternative solutions or options are evaluated and the group engages in, inter alia, consensus building, negotiation or commitment building to agree on a course of action. This decision-making phase is less often studied than its preceding phases, i.e. divergence or brainstorming of alternatives, and convergence of alternatives to a parsimonious set to consider for the final phase of decision-making. The cognitive activities involved in these two phases precede the cognitive activities involved in decision-making. This paper focuses on managing cognitive load involved in the decision-making phase based on the results of literature analysis, an overview of techniques and finally expert validation. The paper concludes with an outlook of classes of cognitive tasks in collaborative problem-solving and the implications of this perspective.

[1]  G. A. Miller.  THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REVIEW THE MAGICAL NUMBER SEVEN, PLUS OR MINUS TWO: SOME LIMITS ON OUR CAPACITY FOR PROCESSING INFORMATION 1 , 1956 .

[2]  Gwendolyn L. Kolfschoten,et al.  Cognitive Load in Collaboration--Convergence , 2012, 2012 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[3]  Eric F. Rietzschel,et al.  Beyond productivity loss in brainstorming groups: The evolution of a question , 2010 .

[4]  William R. Ferrell,et al.  Influence Allocation Methods in Group Decision Support Systems , 1998 .

[5]  Alain Pinsonneault,et al.  Electronic Brainstorming: The Illusion of Productivity , 1999, Inf. Syst. Res..

[6]  Robert O. Briggs,et al.  AIS Electronic Library (AISeL) , 2018 .

[7]  George P. Richardson,et al.  Model-building for group decision support: Issues and alternatives in knowledge elicitation , 1992 .

[8]  Robert O. Briggs,et al.  A conceptual foundation of the thinkLet concept for Collaboration Engineering , 2006, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud..

[9]  M. Wenger,et al.  Processing capacity under perceptual and cognitive load: a closer look at load theory. , 2011, Journal of experimental psychology. Human perception and performance.

[10]  Adam Waytz,et al.  Your brain at work , 2013 .

[11]  Frederick Betz,et al.  On Managing Science in the Systems Age: Two Schemas for the Study of Science as a Whole Systems Phenomenon , 1974 .

[12]  Gwendolyn L. Kolfschoten,et al.  Cognitive learning efficiency through the use of design patterns in teaching , 2010, Comput. Educ..

[13]  Gwendolyn L. Kolfschoten,et al.  Collaborative Enterprise Modeling , 2009, PRET.

[14]  J. Couger.  Creative problem solving and opportunity finding , 1995 .

[15]  F. Paas,et al.  Variability of Worked Examples and Transfer of Geometrical Problem-Solving Skills: A Cognitive-Load Approach , 1994 .

[16]  J. Valacich,et al.  Idea Generation in Computer-Based Groups: A New Ending to an Old Story , 1994 .

[17]  Alice H. Eagly,et al.  Heuristic and systematic information processing within and beyond the persuasion context. , 1989 .

[18]  P. Chandler,et al.  Assimilating complex information , 2002 .

[19]  Bernard A. Nijstad,et al.  The illusion of group productivity: a reduction of failures explanation , 2006 .

[20]  Herbert A. Simon,et al.  The new science of management decision , 1960 .

[21]  A. Gardiner,et al.  The art of problem solving , 2008 .

[22]  Slava Kalyuga,et al.  The Expertise Reversal Effect , 2003 .

[23]  Peter Checkland,et al.  Systems Thinking, Systems Practice , 1981 .

[24]  John Sweller,et al.  Cognitive Load Theory: Instructional Implications of the Interaction between Information Structures and Cognitive Architecture , 2004 .

[25]  M. Csíkszentmihályi.  Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience , 1990 .

[26]  H. Simon,et al.  Rational Decision Making in Business Organizations , 1978 .

[27]  Herbert A. Simon,et al.  Cognitive Science: The Newest Science of the Artificial , 1980, Cogn. Sci..

[28]  D. Kahneman.  Maps of Bounded Rationality: Psychology for Behavioral Economics , 2003 .

[29]  Robert O. Briggs,et al.  A Seven-Layer Model of Collaboration: Separation of Concerns for Designers of Collaboration Systems , 2009, ICIS.

[30]  Jay F. Nunamaker,et al.  On the Measurement of Ideation Quality , 2007, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[31]  Jeanne Farrington,et al.  Seven plus or minus two , 2011 .

[32]  P. Drucker.  The Effective Executive , 2016 .

[33]  P. Schoemaker.  The Expected Utility Model: Its Variants, Purposes, Evidence and Limitations , 1982 .

[34]  Herbert A. Simon,et al.  The Structure of Ill Structured Problems , 1973, Artif. Intell..

[35]  Jay F. Nunamaker,et al.  Collaboration Engineering with ThinkLets to Pursue Sustained Success with Group Support Systems , 2003, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[36]  H A Simon,et al.  How Big Is a Chunk? , 1974, Science.

[37]  Theodor J. Stewart,et al.  Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis , 2001 .

[38]  Theodor J. Stewart,et al.  Multiple criteria decision analysis - an integrated approach , 2001 .

[39]  Charles R. Schwenk.  Cognitive simplification processes in strategic decision‐making , 1984 .

[40]  Robert O. Briggs,et al.  ThinkLets: a collaboration engineering pattern language , 2006, Int. J. Comput. Appl. Technol..

[41]  David A. Bray,et al.  Information Pollution, Knowledge Overload, Limited Attention Spans, and Our Responsibilities as IS Professionals , 2007 .

[42]  F. Paas,et al.  Cognitive Architecture and Instructional Design , 1998 .

[43]  Gwendolyn L. Kolfschoten,et al.  Cognitive Load in Collaboration - Brainstorming , 2011, 2011 44th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[44]  John Sweller,et al.  Cognitive Load During Problem Solving: Effects on Learning , 1988, Cogn. Sci..

[45]  J. Hackman,et al.  Group tasks, group interaction process, and group performance effectiveness: A review and proposed integration , 1975 .

[46]  Eric L. Santanen,et al.  Resolving Ideation Paradoxes: Seeing Apples as Oranges through the Clarity of ThinkLets , 2005, Proceedings of the 38th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.