Rewarding deviants: unethical behavior as a signal of one's communal value
File(s)
Author(s)
Wakeman, S Wiley
Moore, Celia
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Typically, deviance is detrimental to groups, calling norms into question and destabilizing routines. Here, however, we find support for the proposition that deviance can signal one’s value to the group. Across five studies, we show that individuals who contribute to groups either by bribing officials, lying to investors, or cheating are given better performance reviews (Study 1), offered higher compensation (Study 2), and are more likely to be selected for future tasks (Study 3) compared to members who refrain from these behaviors but contribute less to group performance. We show that this effect holds when societal (distal) standards (laws) forbid these behaviors (Study 4), but is eliminated when group (proximal) norms discourage them (Study 5). Together, these results suggest that groups maintain a localized sense of morality, valuing members who support group performance, even if their behaviors violate commonly held moral principles which discourage bribery, lying, or cheating.
Date Issued
2018-08
Date Acceptance
2018-07-01
Citation
Academy of Management Proceedings, 2018, 2018 (1), pp.12209-12209
ISSN
0065-0668
Publisher
Academy of Management
Start Page
12209
End Page
12209
Journal / Book Title
Academy of Management Proceedings
Volume
2018
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2018 The Author(s)
Identifier
https://journals.aom.org/doi/10.5465/AMBPP.2018.240
Source
78th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management
Publication Status
Published
Start Date
2018-08-10
Finish Date
2018-08-14
Coverage Spatial
Chicago, USA
Date Publish Online
2018-07-09