Interacting Dimensions of Diversity: Cross-Categorization and the Functioning of Diverse Work Groups

41 Pages Posted: 2 Feb 2007

See all articles by Astrid C. Homan

Astrid C. Homan

University of Amsterdam - Department of Work and Organizational Psychology

D.L. van Knippenberg

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR); Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Gerben A. van Kleef

University of Amsterdam - Department of Psychology

C.K.W. de Dreu

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: January 1, 2006

Abstract

We conducted an experiment to show how the interplay between informational diversity and other dimensions of diversity can account for some of the inconsistent effects of informational diversity in previous research. 70 four-person groups involved in a decision-making task received homogeneous or heterogeneous information. By manipulating gender composition and bogus personality feedback we created groups that either had a potential faultline (a basis for subgroup categorization) or were homogeneous on these dimensions. In potential faultline groups, heterogeneity of information either converged with or cross-cut the other dimensions of diversity. Results showed that informational diversity enhanced group functioning when it was crossed rather than converged with the potential faultline.

Keywords: Diversity, Information Elaboration, Cross-Categorization, Group Processes

Suggested Citation

Homan, Astrid C. and Van Knippenberg, Daan and Van Knippenberg, Daan and van Kleef, Gerben A. and Dreu, C.K.W. de, Interacting Dimensions of Diversity: Cross-Categorization and the Functioning of Diverse Work Groups (January 1, 2006). ERIM Report Series Reference No. ERS-2006-069-ORG, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=960888

Astrid C. Homan (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam - Department of Work and Organizational Psychology ( email )

Weesperplein 4
Amsterdam, 1018 XA
Netherlands
+31 20 525 5955 (Phone)
+31 20 639 0531 (Fax)

Daan Van Knippenberg

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) ( email )

Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3000 DR Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland 3062PA
Netherlands

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) ( email )

Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3000 DR Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland 3062PA
Netherlands

Gerben A. Van Kleef

University of Amsterdam - Department of Psychology ( email )

Roetersstraat 15
Amsterdam, 1018 WB
Netherlands
+31 20 525 6633 (Phone)
+31 20 639 0531 (Fax)

C.K.W. de Dreu

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

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