Effects of Group Dynamics on Decision-Making

In a recent social psychology study, researchers aimed to investigate how group dynamics influence individual decision-making. They gathered participants and divided them into two groups: one group was encouraged to collaborate on problem-solving tasks, while the other group was instructed to work independently. The results indicated that the collaborative group performed significantly better on decisions requiring critical thinking than the independent group.

This study highlights the importance of collaboration in group settings and raises questions about how individuals may alter their behavior when working as part of a team. Within the framework of social psychology, which of the following concepts most directly describes the phenomenon observed in this study?