Concept of collective intelligence

Presents distinctions between collective behavior and collective intelligence. Collective behavior describes any cooperative enterprise in which individuals pool their resources to enhance task achievement. Collective intelligence occurs only when there is also an interaction or cross-fertilization between those participating in the task. Collective intelligence is generally more innovative, though not necessarily more effective, than the intellectual capability of individuals working alone or in tandem. It may be passed on, but is not biologically transmitted, in the sense of Jung's collective unconscious. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)