How attitude certainty tempers the effects of faultlines in demographically diverse teams

• DOI: 10.1007/s10588-011-9087-5
• Publication Date: 2011-03-29T08:28:54Z
• Authors: André Grow; Andreas Flache
• Keywords: Certainty; Cohesion (chemistry); Moderation

Lau and Murnighan’s faultline theory suggests that strong demographic faultlines can undermine cohesion in work teams. A splits a team into internally homogeneous but mutually dissimilar subgroups based on characteristics. Social influence processes within these then lead to the polarization of members’ attitudes along divisions imposed by faultline. However, hitherto neglects effects attitude certainty. Research shows certainty with which individuals hold their affects social processes. We extend theoretical research integrating For this, we incorporate interplay dynamics formal model developed Flache Mäs. Computational experiments suggest moderation effect. Demographic only affect if is low. discuss implications for future research.