Is there an “I” in Team?
Gender and Ethnic Differences in Teamwork Behaviors
Cade Creason, Isabella Gasparyan, Sofia Paoletto
Department of Psychology
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Student Developed Presentation
Student Developed Presentation
Increasing Diversity
United States Census
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 2
The chance that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups has increased to
61.1% in 2020 from 54.9% in 2010.
Student Developed Presentation
Why Study Teamwork?
Improve efficiency and productivity.
Cultivates communication and strong relationships.
Benefits from differing perspectives and feedback.
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Mutual understanding and trust to collaborate with positivity and respect.
Contributions of everyone are more valued when solicited in team settings.
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 3
Student Developed Presentation
Two Types of Cultures
Independence
Interdependence
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 4
Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Markus & Conner, 2014
Student Developed Presentation
Split by Two Types of Teamwork Behaviors
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 5
Influencing
Debate with others
Convince others’ you're right
Try to influence others
Assert your own ideas/opinions
Listen to others’ ideas/opinions
Adjust to others
Take others’ suggestions
Affirm others' view
Adjusting
Student Developed Presentation
�Hypotheses�
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 6
1
2
People who are more independent will have the highest perception of teamwork success and those who are more interdependent will have the lowest perception of teamwork success.
Teamwork Behaviors
People who identify as more independent will be most likely to use influencing behaviors.
Student Developed Presentation
Participants
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 7
Sample
Size
POC Participants
Mean Age of Participants
Female Participants
n = 611
40%
20 years
37%
Student Developed Presentation
Methods
Survey
Students answered questions about prior team experiences, teamwork strategies (adjusting vs. influencing), perceived success in teams, and demographic questions.
Student Developed Presentation
Student Developed Presentation
Results
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 9
People who identify as more independent will be most likely to use influencing behaviors.
Cultural group X Gender interaction
Markus & Conner, 2014; Flanagin, 2002
Student Developed Presentation
Results
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 10
People who identify as more independent will have the highest perception of teamwork success and those who identify as more interdependent will have the lowest perception of teamwork success.
Cultural group X Gender interaction
Markus & Conner, 2014; Flanagin, 2002
Student Developed Presentation
Discussion
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 11
How do we address this problem?
Men and white people are likely to have more individual success using influencing behaviors because in America this is culturally prevalent
Women of color are least likely to use influencing behaviors and experience lower perceptions of teamwork success
People from interdependent cultures will be less likely to use influencing behaviors in teamwork than those from independent cultures
Student Developed Presentation
Potential Solutions
Our research aim is to help uncover how culture shapes our individual and group teamwork behaviors to create diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures to enhance teamwork success for all.
Future Directions
CSU RESEARCH COMPETITION 2023
/ 12
1
2
3
Equity and Inclusion
Increase Adjusting Behavior
Awareness of Behaviors
Student Developed Presentation
Conclusion
/ 13
Our results provide foundational support for creating more culturally inclusive and diverse teamwork environments that could greatly contribute to the
success of individuals from all cultural backgrounds.
�
There is an “I” in team in the United States’ culture.
Student Developed Presentation