Journal article
Inspecting the emperor's clothes: Evidence that random selection of leaders can enhance group performance
Group Dynamics, Vol.2(3), pp.168-184
1998
Abstract
This article tests the hypothesis that group performance might be superior when leaders are randomly rather than systematically selected. In Experiment 1 groups with randomly selected leaders performed a survival task better than groups whose leaders were systematically selected. This effect was replicated in Experiment 2: Groups with a random leader also performed better than groups with no appointed leader and followers adhered more strongly to the group decision. In Experiment 3, naive participants' experimental expectations confirmed the counterintuitive nature of these findings. Results suggest that systematically selected leaders can undermine group goals and group maintenance. The possibility that this occurs because leaders assert their personal superiority at the expense of shared social identity is discussed.
Details
- Title
- Inspecting the emperor's clothes: Evidence that random selection of leaders can enhance group performance
- Authors/Creators
- S.A. Haslam (Author/Creator)C. McGarty (Author/Creator)P.M. Brown (Author/Creator)R.A. Eggins (Author/Creator)B.E. Morrison (Author/Creator)K.J. Reynolds (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Group Dynamics, Vol.2(3), pp.168-184
- Publisher
- American Psychological Association
- Identifiers
- 991005545176107891
- Copyright
- Educational Publishing Foundation
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Psychology
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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