In this paper, we extend research on “thin slices” by testing and determining that perceivers are able to accurately judge the effectiveness of small, task-performing groups based on short observations of group interaction. We discuss implications for social perception and group functioning.

In creating this study, we generated a great deal of stimuli that can be used to further explore questions of status in teams. For example, we found that in addition to performance, perceivers are highly accurate in accessing individual’s status from very brief excerpts of team discussions. In future work, we will explore how differences in team members’ status (ie steepness and distribution) affect how teams are perceived.

Joint work with Patricia Satterstrom, Jeff Polzer, Lisa Kwan, Wannawiruch Wiruchnipawan, and Marina Miloslavsky.