In recent decades, many researchers have studied the importance of
group-level cognition. Indeed, to my mind, there is now convincing evidence
that group activities improve the intelligence of individuals. In this essay, I
shall examine how research in team-games and study-groups supports this
view.
To begin with, team-games clearly require individuals to perform a diverse
range of rapid mental calculations. This is because, in a sporting context,
players must predict and anticipate possible actions within tight time
constraints. For example, a recent Cambridge study showed that soccer
players can – within the span of seconds – calculate over a dozen different
permutations that could result from a single soccer related action. Such
predictive powers clearly improve players’ mental abilities and result from
activities performed in a group context.
In recent decades,
many
researchers have studied the importance of
group-level cognition.
Indeed
, to my mind, there is
now
convincing evidence
that group activities
improve
the intelligence of individuals. In this essay, I
shall examine how research in team-games and study-groups supports this
view.
To
begin
with, team-games
clearly
require individuals to perform a diverse
range of rapid mental calculations. This is
because
, in a sporting context,
players
must
predict and anticipate possible actions within tight time
constraints.
For example
, a recent Cambridge study
showed
that soccer
players can – within the span of seconds – calculate over a dozen
different
permutations that could result from a single soccer related action. Such
predictive powers
clearly
improve
players’ mental abilities and result from
activities performed in a group context.