Dissertation
The influence of unethical peer behavior on observers' unethical behavior: a social cognitive perspective
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
12/2007
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005721
Abstract
This study explores the relationship between unethical peer behavior and observers’
unethical behavior. Previous research has consistently found a positive relationship between
these variables and has advocated a simplistic “Monkey See, Monkey Do” explanation for this
phenomenon. A major purpose of this study is to move beyond this simplistic view. Three
social cognitive frameworks - social learning theory, social identity theory, and social
comparison theory – form the theoretical foundation for the study and are used to shed light on
circumstances in which the relationship between unethical peer behavior and observers’
unethical behavior is likely to be strengthened, weakened, or perhaps even reversed. This study
also introduces “moral differentiation,” a new multidimensional construct which is predicted to
moderate this relationship.
Using data collected from 655 undergraduate students at two universities (Study 1), the
results generally provide support for all three theoretical models. With regard to social learning
theory and social identity theory, vicarious learning and perceived fit with group identity
partially mediated the relationship between unethical peer behavior and observers’ unethical
behavior. Further, strength of identification and self esteem were found to moderate the
relationship between perceived fit with group identity and observers’ unethical behavior, such
that the relationship was stronger for low identifying and low self-esteem individuals. With
regard to social comparison theory, relative deprivation and negative self-feelings were found to
mediate the relationship between unethical peer behavior and observers’ unethical behavior.
Self-improvement was found to moderate the relationship between negative self-feelings and
observer unethical behavior, such that the more an individual has negative self-feelings and is
high in self-improvement, the less likely the individual is to engage in unethical activities. Some
elements of the new moral differentiation construct were found to moderate the relationship
between unethical peer behavior and observers’ unethical behavior, as did self-monitoring and
ethical culture. The hypothesized relationships were generally not supported in data gathered
from industry professionals (Study 2), possibly due to small sample size. Implications for future
research are discussed.
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Details
- Title
- The influence of unethical peer behavior on observers' unethical behavior
- Creators
- Michael James O'Fallon
- Contributors
- Kenneth D Butterfield (Chair) - Washington State University, Department of Management, Information Systems, and EntrepreneurshipThomas M. Tripp (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Department of Management, Information Systems, and EntrepreneurshipJerry Goodstein (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Department of Management, Information Systems, and EntrepreneurshipJohn Brooks Cullen (Committee Member) - Washington State University, Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 271
- Identifiers
- 99901054762401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation