On the system of representations in a group situation

Relations between the representations of group members with respect to different elements in the group set-up: The task, the others, the self and the group as a whole are analyzed from data collected in four experiments. Results show that the interrelations between these representations in the subjects' cognitive universe are determined by a combination of three separate principles which deal respectively with: 1) the degree of generality, complexity or semantic ‘globality’ of each element of the situation in the subjects' representation thereof; 2) the functional importance (particularly in determining behaviours in the situation) of each representation, as well as its centrality within the subjects' representational system. The functional importance and centrality of a given representation seem to be directly related in turn to the perceived normative character of the represented objects in terms of the group's objectives; 3) a process of social comparison between the self and others, according to which each group member tends to perceive himself as being more in harmony than the others with the norms and requirements of the situation as he perceives them. The discussion deals with the generality of the above results.