First,
although not significant,
increases were present in both these items
from pre- to post-
intervention.
Because the pre-intervention scores for these items were relatively high to begin with (ie, approaching a mean of 4.5), the high value blunted the difference seen.
This high value might reflect a degree of overestimation as discussed.
Observer ratings, on the other hand, were not hampered by this elevated pre-intervention score and, as a result, reflected the improvement in shared mental model that participants demonstrated after the debriefing.
Additionally, theobserver ratings were based on an overall team function impression, not individual evaluations.
The team as a whole could have improved considerably in aspects of shared mental model, even though individual members themselves did not show substantial improvements.