Diversity, Trust, and Conformity: A Simulation Study

Abstract Previous simulation models have found positive effects of cognitive diversity on group performance, but not explored in demographics (e.g., gender, ethnicity). In this paper, we present an agent-based model that captures two empirically supported hypotheses about how demographic can improve performance. The results our simulations suggest that, even when social identities are associated with distinctive task-related resources, can, certain circumstances, benefit collective performance by counteracting types conformity arise homogeneous groups: those relating to group-based trust and connected normative expectations toward in-groups.