Unethical for the sake of the group
Risk of social exclusion and pro-group unethical behavior.
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23314293 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Stefan Thau (0000-0001-6117-9401), Rellie Derfler‐Rozin (0000-0002-1098-9305, University of Maryland, College Park), Rellie Derfler-Rozin, Marko Pitesa (0000-0002-1056-151X, University of Maryland, College Park), Michael S Mitchell (0000-0002-0651-6273, University of Georgia), Marie S Mitchell, Madan M Pillutla (London Business School) |
| Year | 2015 |
| Volume | 100 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 98-113 |
| Publication date | 2015-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Applied Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0021-9010 • E-ISSN: 1939-1854 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037/a0036708 |
| PMID | 24773402 |
| OpenAlex | W2127512555 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 74 |
| References cited | 64 |
This research tested the idea that the risk of exclusion from one's group motivates group members to engage in unethical behaviors that secure better outcomes for the group (pro-group unethical behaviors). We theorized that this effect occurs because those at risk of exclusion seek to improve their inclusionary status by engaging in unethical behaviors that benefit the group; we tested this assumption by examining how the effect of exclusion risk on pro-group unethical behavior varies as a function of group members' need for inclusion. A 2-wave field study conducted among a diverse sample of employees working in groups (Study 1) and a constructive replication using a laboratory experiment (Study 2) provided converging evidence for the theory. Study 1 found that perceived risk of exclusion from one's workgroup predicted employees' engagement in pro-group unethical behaviors, but only when employees have a high (not low) need for inclusion. In Study 2, compared to low risk of exclusion from a group, high risk of exclusion led to more pro-group (but not pro-self) unethical behaviors, but only for participants with a high (not low) need for inclusion. We discuss implications for theory and the management of unethical behaviors in organizations.
Group cohesiveness · Inclusion (mineral) · Inclusion–exclusion principle · Ostracism · Social exclusion · Workgroup · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Psychology · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology
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| Unique citing works | 74 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 7,4 |
| Citation span | 2016 - 2026 (11) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 74 |