Effects of Accountability to Group Members and OutcomeInterdependence on Task Behavior and Interpersonal Contextual Behavior

This laboratory study tested motivational effects of accountability to group members and outcome interdependence on task behavior and interpersonal contextual performance such as helpfulness. Both task and interpersonal contextual behavior were higher when group members were accountable to each other. Interpersonal contextual behavior was also higher when group members were recognized for group rather than for individual performance. Task behavior was not significantly affected by outcome interdependence. These results suggest that accountability to group members can motivate task and interpersonal contextual behavior. They also suggest that although outcome interdependence can motivate interpersonal contextual behavior, it might not motivate task behavior.