Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society

Collaborative problem solving based on different perspectivesis an effective strategy for constructing new knowledge anddiscoveries. It remains unclear what kind of interaction pro-cess underlies development of an abstract or integrated per-spective upon experiencing conflict with different perspectivesin a group. The present study investigates two factors in anexperimental setting: (1) groups with a single opposing per-spective (maverick) would hold an advantage over groups and(2) groups with positive moods would hold an advantage overgroups with negativity. We investigate the factors influencingperspective taking in problem-solving groups using conversa-tional agents. Results showed that (1) a single different per-spective in the group can be accepted for perspective takingcompared to several members with an opposing perspective,and (2) positive mood generated by group members facilitat-ing perspective taking compared to negative mood.