The effects of groups' variety and disparity on groups' cognitive complexity
Curseu, Petru L . Schruijer, Sandra Boros, Smaranda
Curseu, Petru L .
Schruijer, Sandra
Boros, Smaranda
Citations
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Publication Type
Journal article
Editor
Supervisor
Publication Year
2007
Journal
Group Dynamics: Theory, Research and Practice
Book
Publication Volume
11
Publication Issue
3
Publication Begin page
187
Publication End page
206
Publication Number of pages
Collections
Abstract
This study examined the influence of group diversity conceptualized as disparity and as variety on group cognitive complexity. Data on individual cognitive complexity and group cognitive complexity were collected in 44 groups using a conceptual mapping technique. Also data on the quality of teamwork processes and satisfaction were collected using an individual questionnaire. The results indicate that (a) gender variety has a positive impact on group cognitive complexity, (b) cognitive disparity has a negative impact on group cognitive complexity, and (c) groups with a high average individual cognitive complexity have the highest cognitive complexity as a group only if the quality of their interactions is high.