A very interesting study was performed by Daniel Schwarz https://web.stanford.edu/~danls/Dyad%20Abstraction.pdf
This research investigates how collaborative problem solving in pairs, or dyads, produces more abstract mental representations than individuals working alone. Through three experiments involving gear mechanics and biological systems, the author demonstrates that pairs frequently develop parity rules and symbolic visualisations that exceed the performance of the most capable individuals. These findings suggest that abstraction is a natural byproduct of the need to establish common ground and resolve differing perspectives between partners. Rather than simply being more efficient, the social interaction itself forces participants to strip away surface details to create a shared, structured understanding. Ultimately, the studies provide evidence for socially situated cognition, where complex knowledge emerges from the unique communicative demands of group interaction.
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