Team Composition, Cognition, and Effectiveness: Examining Mental Model Similarity and Accuracy

This study examined the relationships between team cognitive ability and personality composition in relation to the similarity (MM-similarity) and accuracy (MM-accuracy) of team task-focused mental models. The relationships between MM-accuracy and MM-similarity with multiple indicators of team effectiveness were also examined. Sixty-seven three-person teams performed a simulated search and capture task. Results indicate that the team mean-level of cognitive ability was positively related to both MM-accuracy and MM-similarity, and the team mean-level of team agreeableness was positively related to MM-similarity. In turn, MM-accuracy was positively related to perceived coordination processes and goal accomplishment, but not team viability. In contrast, MM-similarity was positively related to team viability, but not goal accomplishment or perceived coordination processes. Implications of the findings for understanding factors that facilitate the emergence of task-focused mental models in teams with a limited life span or during the early stages of team development are discussed, along with the implications of team mental models for team success.