Can we work together?

Jamie Lyn Perry
2009
This study examines the moderation of potential faultlines and faultline activation through manipulating appraisals. Previous research has investigated the causes and effects of faultline activation, but none have examined appraisals as a trigger to faultline activation. Using a 2x2x2 factorial quasi-experimental design crossing appraisals (intrinsic vs. instrumental), potential faultlines (weak vs. strong), and faultline activation (alignment vs. no alignment), 156 participants (43 groups)
more » ... rated on the study constructs as they completed a group task. The data revealed that faultlines were more likely to activate in groups with potential faultlines where members were instructed to think about undesirable qualities of group members (intrinsic appraisal condition) rather than in groups with potential faultlines where members were instructed to think about obstacles that people created within the group (instrumental appraisal condition). In addition, I found that active faultlines had an influence on conflict (task, process, and relationship) between and within subgroups, and performance. Results of the study have implications for future research.
doi:10.7282/t3k64j11 fatcat:virsg6hv3rhh5j7rfsq2nvocve