Seeing the Glass as Half Full or Half Empty: The Role of Affect-Induced Optimistic and Pessimistic States on Justice Perceptions and Outcomes

Abstract

In this paper, we develop and test theory to explain how employees’ perceptions of supervisor justice behavior are subjectively influenced by optimistic and pessimistic states. We propose that state affect gives rise to optimistic and pessimistic states, which color justice perceptions and impact performance behaviors (i.e., task performance, citizenship behavior, counterproductive behavior). Results from an experience sampling study and a set of experimental studies showed that state positive affect fosters an optimistic state that promotes perceptions of justice rule adherence, which influences task performance and citizenship behavior, whereas state negative affect promotes a pessimistic state that promotes perceptions of justice rule violation, which influences counterproductive behavior. Interestingly, state affect does not have a direct relationship with justice perceptions, which points to a new perspective on affect and justice.