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The effects of task and reward interdependence on perceived effort, helping behavior, and group performance were investigated in a laboratory setting. Fifty-seven groups with 3 undergraduate students in each group completed two consecutive copyediting activities. Helping behavior was highest in groups with high task interdependence. However, no support was found for the interactive effects of task and reward interdependence. Differences across time were found for perceived effort, helping behavior, and performance. The implications of these findings suggest that the increased task complexity, introduced through the presence of high levels of task interdependence, can mitigate the positive performance effects of high levels of helping behavior and effort.

This study examined the relation between racioethnic diversity and group efficacy (assessed as group outcome efficacy and group potency). Social cohesion was hypothesized to moderate this relationship. The authors also predicted that the interactive effect of racioethnic diversity and social cohesion on group efficacy would be mediated by task interdependence. The sample consisted of 42 student project groups. Data were gathered at the completion of the groups’ projects. The results indicate support for the hypotheses that racioethnic diversity is positively related to group efficacy and that the effect of racioethnic diversity on group outcome efficacy is enhanced by social cohesion. There was also some support for the mediating role of task interdependence.