Abstract
In this study, we investigated effects of having different perspectives in solving collaborative tasks. A simple reasoning task was given to several pairs of participants, each of whom discussed their views with their partner. Protocol analysis was performed to reveal how people exchange information with a partner who has a different perspective to achieve successful collaboration. In the experiment, we controlled participants′ perspectives, where the appearance of visual images was manipulated based on Gestalt psychological theory. Three conditions were set up: (1) the distributed-view condition, where one of two different perspectives was presented separately to each of the participants in a pair; (2) the dual-view condition, where two equivalent perspectives were presented together to both participants; and (3) the single-view condition, where only a single perspective was presented to both participants. The protocol analysis showed that the pairs in the distributed view condition who reached to solution engaged in the task with complementary interactive manners. On the other hand, the protocols of the pairs who could not reach solution showed that one of the participants shifted his⁄her perspective towards the opponents′ perspective. It is also argued that the problem solving in collaboration of pairs with different perspectives is performed through insight processes.
