When Instructions Based on Constructive Controversy Boost Synergy in Online Groups

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, an increasing number of people throughout the world participated in remote meetings in online groups using videoconferencing systems. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on group synergy of a series of instructions based on constructive controversy delivered during online collaboration. After performing a decision-making task individually, 125 participants were randomly assigned to online groups to collaborate and reach a consensus using a videoconferencing system, either in "free discussion" or "instructed discussion" groups. Results revealed that groups with instructions outperformed their best members (strong synergy) at higher rates than groups without instructions. Moreover, participants reported higher epistemic conflict regulation when they received instructions than when they did not. These findings suggest that providing instructions based on constructive controversy during a collaborative task can boost synergy and epistemic conflict regulation in online groups.