Groups perform better than the best individuals on letters-to-numbers problems: Effects of group size
Laughlin and colleagues had individuals and groups of two to five people solve letters-to-numbers problems, in which participants identify the coding of ten letters to ten numbers by proposing equations, receiving answers and testing hypotheses. Groups of three, four and five proposed more complex equations and needed fewer trials than the best of an equivalent number of individuals. Groups of three or more needed fewer trials than pairs but did not differ from each other. The authors conclude that three-person groups are necessary and sufficient to beat the best individuals on highly intellective problems.
Laughlin and colleagues had individuals and groups of two to five people solve letters-to-numbers problems, in which participants identify the coding of ten letters to ten numbers by proposing equations, receiving answers and testing hypotheses. Groups of three, four and five proposed more complex equations and needed fewer trials than the best of an equivalent number of individuals. Groups of three or more needed fewer trials than pairs but did not differ from each other. The authors conclude that three-person groups are necessary and sufficient to beat the best individuals on highly intellective problems.
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Laughlin, P. R., Hatch, E. C., Silver, J. S., & Boh, L. (2006). Groups perform better than the best individuals on letters-to-numbers problems: Effects of group size. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(4), 644-651. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.90.4.644.