Density does affect task performance

Performed 3 experiments with 236 undergraduates to examine the independent effects of group size, room size, and interpersonal proximity on task performance. It was found that increasing group size, decreasing room size, and decreasing interpersonal distance all independently led to decrements in task performance in a short-term situation. Whereas the effects of group size and interpersonal distance were similar for males and females, the effect of room size was obtained only with males. Results question the previous conclusions that task performance is not affected by density. Affective responses to crowding were also examined in 2 of the experiments. Implications for educational settings are discussed. (26 ref)