Effects of Group Inequality on Perceived Group Processes and Individual Outcomes

Date

2013-10-28

Authors

van der Werf, Daniel

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Guelph

Abstract

Research suggests that inequality in society and inequality in the workplace has negative consequences for individual’s health and well-being. The effect of inequality within smaller groups is less clear. I hypothesized that individuals’ perceptions of excessive inequality within a student group would lead to increased stress, decreased evaluation of group and deceased performance, and that group cohesion, conflict, and potency would mediate some of these relationships. Inequality was operationalized as individuals’ perceptions of too much difference in power, status, and affiliation. I tested the hypotheses with 113 undergraduate students working in four-person groups in an organizational psychology class. Perceptions of excessive inequality were positively related to individuals’ stress and performance, and negatively related to their evaluation of group. Individuals’ perceptions of group cohesion mediated the relationship between inequality and evaluation of group. If perceptions of inequality between group members can be reduced, important group processes and individual outcomes could be improved.

Description

Keywords

Inequality, Distributive Justice, Groups

Citation