Generating Ideas About the Uses of Brainstorming: Reconsidering the Losses and Gains of Brainstorming Groups Relative to Nominal Groups

The virtue of using nominal groups compared to brainstorming groups for idea generation is questionable. Brainstorming groups presumably will develop higher levels of cohesiveness than nominal groups following an idea generation task. Furthermore, the productivity of nominal groups is apt to be limited over time. Nominal (N = 31) and brainstorming (N = 28) groups of three or four members performed an idea generation task for two 10-minute periods. Brainstorming groups reported higher levels of cohesiveness than nominal groups. Furthermore, only during the first 10-minute period did nominal groups generate more ideas than brainstorming groups. Notes CC = contrast coefficient. *Significant at p < .05. Additional informationNotes on contributorsDavid Dryden Henningsen David Dryden Henningsen, Department of Communication, Northern Illinois University. Mary Lynn Miller Henningsen, Department of Communication, Northern Illinois University.