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Differentiated selves help only when identification is strong and tasks are complex

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2016

Bernard A. Nijstad  and
Carsten K. W. De Dreu
Bernard A. Nijstad
Affiliation:
Department of Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior, University of Groningen, 9747 AE Groningen, The Netherlandsb.a.nijstad@rug.nlhttp://www.rug.nl/staff/b.a.nijstad/
Carsten K. W. De Dreu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Leiden University, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands. c.k.w.dedreu@uva.nl
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Abstract

Whereas differentiation is overestimated – it more often hurts than helps group performance – identification is underestimated. A more viable perspective sees identification and cooperative motivation as the sine qua non of group functioning, with differentiation helping in a relatively narrow set of cognitively complex tasks that require creativity and deep and deliberate information processing by individual members.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 39 , 2016 , e160
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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