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Differentiating selves facilitates group outcomes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2016

Sarah E. Ainsworth
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224. s.ainsworth@unf.edu
Roy F. Baumeister
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306. baumeister@psy.fsu.eduhttps://psy.fsu.edu/faculty/baumeister.dp.html
Kathleen D. Vohs
Affiliation:
Department of Marketing, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455. vohsx005@umn.eduhttps://carlsonschool.umn.edu/faculty/kathleen-vohs

Abstract

The target article proposed that differentiation of selves is a crucial moderator of group outcomes, such that differentiation of selves contributes to beneficial outcomes of groups while limiting undesirable outcomes. In this response, we aim to complement the target article by refining and expanding several aspects of the theory. We address our conceptualization of optimal group functioning, clarify the term differentiation of selves, comment on the two-step nature of our model, offer theoretical connections and extensions, and discuss applications and opportunities for future research.

Type
Author's Response
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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