Happy But Uncivil? Examining When and Why Positive Affect Leads to Incivility

Remus Ilies, Cathy Yang Guo, Sandy Lim, Kai Chi Yam, Xinxin Li

Journal of Business Ethics · 2020 · Volume 165 · Issue 4

Abstract

In this paper, we examine the interactive effects of positive affect and perspective-taking on workplace incivility and family incivility, through moral disengagement. We draw from broaden-and-build and moral disengagement theories to suggest a potential negative consequence of positive affect. Specifically, we argue that positive affect increases incivility toward coworkers and spouses through moral disengagement among employees with low, but not high perspective-taking. Data from two time-lagged field studies and one online experiment provide support for our hypotheses. These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of positive feelings are not universal, and the fostering of positive feelings at work might have unintended negative consequences, namely moral disengagement, and increased incivility at work and at home. Implications for theory and research are discussed.

Keywords

Positive affect, Moral disengagement, Workplace incivility, Family incivility, Perspective-taking

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