title: Task specificity and the impact on both the individual and group during the formation of groups.
abstract: We agree with aspects of Baumeister et al.'s view that shared identities are necessary during initial stages of group formation. In contrast to their analysis, however, we provide evidence that the value of self-differentiation depends more on the task itself than on the stage of group development and challenge the authors to focus on the functions of the group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology,University of New Mexico,Albuquerque,NM 87131-1161.esk@unm.eduvigilj@unm.eduhttp://www.unm.edu/~psych/faculty/sm_vigil.htmlssstith@unm.edu.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology,University of New Mexico,Albuquerque,NM 87131-1161.esk@unm.eduvigilj@unm.eduhttp://www.unm.edu/~psych/faculty/sm_vigil.htmlssstith@unm.edu.
authors.forename: Jacob M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vigil
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology,University of New Mexico,Albuquerque,NM 87131-1161.esk@unm.eduvigilj@unm.eduhttp://www.unm.edu/~psych/faculty/sm_vigil.htmlssstith@unm.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Stith
mesh_terms: D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality