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Assessing the interaction of empathy and diversity in creative teams

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  • Rodet, Cortney S.

Abstract

Diversity, especially experiential diversity, has been shown to positively affect creativity in divergent thinking tasks, but issues like conflict, misunderstanding, and disagreement can arise due to diversity. This project explores empathy as a mechanism through which diversity fosters creativity in teams as it allows teammates to better understand each other when they differ in experience, knowledge, and characteristics. Consistent with previous research, I find that experiential diversity boosts creativity by increasing the number of ideas generated. When interacted with empathy, it increases originality and the use of unique words to describe ideas. Empathy also positively interacts with characteristic diversity (i.e., language, gender identity, and socioeconomic background) to increase the number of creative ideas.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodet, Cortney S., 2026. "Assessing the interaction of empathy and diversity in creative teams," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:soceco:v:121:y:2026:i:c:s2214804326000248
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socec.2026.102533
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    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • M50 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - General
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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