ABSTRACT
Most human activity is performed by individuals working within collectives such as groups, crews, teams, and organizational units. Activities performed by these collectives have high economic, social, and entertainment value. In their review of collectives in industry and business, Cannon-Bowers, Oser, and Flanagan ( 1992) reported a clear "consensus among those who study industrial and organizational behavior that work groups are the cornerstone of modem American industry" (p. 355). The salaries commanded by our professional athletes, as well as the general cessation of useful activity during major athletic events such as the World Series, World Cup, and the Super Bowl testify to the entertainment value of collective activity. Finally, the absolute essentiality of collective activity in military operations and the considerable social and economic implications of its success or failure have been a major topic-perhaps the major topic-of legends, epics, and histories.
