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Individual Differences Research
2008, Volume 6, Issue 4


Team-Related Mental Representation: The Role of Individual Differences

Author(s): Eldad Rom


DOI: https://doi.org/10.65030/idr.06022

Abstract: The current study applied Bowlby's (e.g., 1973) attachment theory in order to tap into several mechanisms underlying team-related mental representation. Attachment style of 89 subjects was evaluated via a self-report questionnaire, while their team-related mental representation was assessed through a sorting task. The findings revealed that attachment anxiety was associated with relative cognitive simplicity, whereas attachment avoidance was associated with low levels of mental differentiation. Also, avoidant persons manifested more negative content and less positive and instrumental content about teams. The discussion emphasizes the connection between the internalization of attachment experiences and the construction of team-related mental representation.

    Keywords: Individual differences; Teams; Questionnaires; Mental representation; Attachment theory; Social psychology

Pages: 289-302

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