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Despicability in the Workplace: Effects of Behavioral Deviance and Unlikeability on the Evaluation of In‐Group and Out‐Group Members
Author(s) -
Bown Nicola J,
Abrams Dominic
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2003.tb01892.x
Subject(s) - deviance (statistics) , psychology , social psychology , social identity theory , normative , derogation , collective identity , norm (philosophy) , social group , philosophy , statistics , mathematics , epistemology , politics , political science , law
This study examined how members of functionally independent work groups (bank employees) evaluated behavioral deviance among in‐group and out‐group members. Members’ behavior was either modal (normative) or deviant in relation to workplace norms, and members were either likeable or unlikeable. Based on social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and on the black‐sheep effect (e.g., Marques & Paez, 1994), it was predicted that both unlikeability and deviance would result in more negative evaluations. It was also predicted that behavior that challenged prescriptive in‐group standards would result in relative derogation of in‐group targets compared to similar out‐group targets (the evaluative extremity effect). These hypotheses were supported. Discussion focuses on how evaluations of deviant group members help to preserve a positive sense of social identity. Practical implications of social deviance in the workplace are considered.