Redundancy in task assignments and group performance

The problem of combining abilities of group members to maximize the performance of the group as a whole is examined in terms of redundancy in task assignments. In particular, ways of distributing a given number of items of information among a given number of individuals to obtain the maximum probability of each item being recalled by at least one individual are studied. It is shown that there exists an optimal distribution scheme which is independent of the amount of material originally given, the size of the group, and individual differences in ability.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45703/1/11336_2005_Article_BF02289817.pd

Tiptoe or tackle? The role of product placement prominence and program involvement for the mere exposure effect

Based on the mere exposure effect (Zajonc 1968), the mere unreinforced presentation of product placements can increase brand liking. In an experiment, we manipulated visual placement prominence and placement frequency for an externally and internally valid stimulus. As results indicate, a mere exposure effect can only be observed for frequently presented subtle placements that are embedded in a program that is watched with moderate or high involvement. No such effects could be observed for prominent placements. The results are discussed in their importance for placement effects research and marketing practice

Measuring responses to humor: how the testing context affects individuals’ reaction to comedy.

Psychological studies of responses to humor employ a variety of different recording methods and modes of presentation, but few have addressed whether these methodological differences affect people's responses to comedy. In the present study, participants' expressive (laughter and smiling) and cognitive (ratings of funniness and enjoyment) responses to a popular British comedy program presented via videotape, audiotape, or in script form were measured. Behavioral response was recorded either covertly or overtly by a video camera. Mode of presentation significantly affected behavioral response: the videotape and the audiotape conditions generated significantly greater laughter and smiling than did the script condition. Although the presence of the camera was not regarded as obtrusive, its presence did inhibit laughter and depressed enjoyment (but not amusement). The paper suggests that research using humorous material should carefully consider the mode of presentation and the behavioral recording conditions employed