Abstract
Deactivating Demographic Faultlines in Teams: A Threat Approach
Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings, Vol.2016(1), p.14708
01/2016
DOI: 10.5465/ambpp.2016.14708abstract
Abstract
Abstract only
Threat-rigidity theory suggests that there are significant adverse information processing effects to the introduction of threats and stressors in teams. However, research in social psychology has demonstrated the effectiveness of collective threat as a stimulus for self-categorization at the group level, reducing intergroup prejudice. This study seeks to integrate these perspectives by examining the effects of threat on activated demographic faultlines in teams. Specifically, we rely on self-categorization theory to explain how threat shifts the categorizations members attend to and deem relevant to alleviate the harmful effect of intersubgroup bias on team creativity. We then argue that these effects are partially due to shifts in levels of team psychological safety. Testing this mediated moderation model, a laboratory study involving undergraduate students performing group brainstorming tasks is presented. Results support the moderating role of threat in the relationship between activated demographic faultlines and team creativity, and role of team psychological safety as the underlying mechanism.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Deactivating Demographic Faultlines in Teams: A Threat Approach
- Creators
- Trevor Spoelma - University of ArizonaAleksander P. J. Ellis - University of Arizona
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Publication Details
- Academy of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings, Vol.2016(1), p.14708
- DOI
- 10.5465/ambpp.2016.14708abstract
- eISSN
- 2151-6561
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2016
- Academic Unit
- Management and Entrepreneurship
- Record Identifier
- 9984937923802771
Metrics
4 Record Views