Final answer:
The past assumption was that a more diverse team would function better due to a variety of perspectives and skills. However, diversity can also introduce challenges, although the right mix, such as gender balance, has been shown to correlate with improved team performance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The past assumption that the more diverse a team is, the better it would function has been a commonly held belief in organizational and social science. This belief relies on the idea that diversity brings a multitude of perspectives and talents to the table, enhancing creativity, problem-solving skills, and decision-making abilities. However, research has shown that while diversity can indeed be beneficial, it can also introduce communication and interpersonal relationship challenges. Specifically, the team halo effect suggests that teams are often credited for their successes, but individual members are blamed for team failures. Studies involving gender mix in teams indicate that a balanced gender composition can correlate with better team performance, highlighting how the right mix of diversity can positively impact function.