Availability of Communication and Cooperative Problem Solving in Dyads
The initial acquisition of a simple 2-person response was observed under 3 voice communication conditions, Free Communication, Cost Communication, and No Communication. All 7 pairs in both the Free and No Communication conditions successfully acquired the cooperative response; however, 4 of 7 dyads in the Cost Communication group did not. Among pairs that acquired the response, speed of acquisition did not differ by communication condition. An explanation in terms of the effect of cost on communication pattern is suggested for the unanticipated high failure rate among pairs in the Cost Communication condition.