Groups generate fewer ideas than individuals working alone
Alex Osborn (1953) claimed brainstorming groups produce twice as many ideas as individuals. But research proves the opposite! Diehl & Stroebe found that "nominal groups" (individuals working separately) generate significantly MORE ideas—and higher quality ones—than "interactive groups" brainstorming together. The main culprit? Production blocking: while waiting for your turn to speak, you forget your ideas and can't develop new ones.
Your ideas will appear here...
1. Production Blocking: While waiting for others to speak, you forget ideas and can't generate new ones. This is the #1 cause of productivity loss.
2. Evaluation Apprehension: Fear of judgment makes people censor their wildest (often best) ideas.
3. Free Riding: In groups, individuals exert less effort, assuming others will contribute.
4. Anchoring: Early ideas constrain thinking, pushing the group toward similar concepts.