Diversity Deflation: The Effect of Hierarchical Representation on Perceived Diversity, Conflict, and Attraction to Work Teams

Prior research finds that hierarchical representation-the vertical distribution of minorities across a hierarchy-can influence team attractiveness. Extending these findings, we offer a novel account for why these perceptions arise: teams with minorities clustered in low-ranking positions are perceived as less diverse and more conflict-prone than equally diverse teams with hierarchical representation. Across five studies (N = 2946), participants perceived teams with low hierarchical representation as less attractive than teams with hierarchical representation, regardless of participant race. Teams with low hierarchical representation were considered just as unattractive as teams with lower numerical diversity (Study 2). Individuals also underestimated the percentage of Black employees present in teams with low hierarchical representation, signaling a "diversity deflation" effect (Study 3). Conversely, teams with hierarchical representation were considered as attractive as diverse teams with flatter hierarchies (Study 4). The effect of hierarchical representation on attractiveness weakens for teams portrayed as conflict-laden (Study 5).