Reich, T., Hershcovis, S., Lyubykh, Z. et al. (3 more authors) (2021) Observer reactions to workplace mistreatment : it's a matter of perspective. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 26 (5). pp. 374-392. ISSN 1076-8998
Abstract
Workplace mistreatment regularly occurs in the presence of others (i.e., observers). The reactions of observers toward those involved in the mistreatment episode have wide-reaching implications. In the current set of studies, we draw on theories of perspective-taking to consider how this form of interpersonal sensemaking influences observer reactions toward those involved in a witnessed incident of workplace mistreatment. We find that observers’ blame attributions and empathic concern for the individual whose perspective is taken explain the positive effects of perspective-taking on observer attitudes toward and performance evaluations of both the target and instigator of a witnessed incident of mistreatment. We also find that the effect of perspective-taking on observer reactions is stronger when the witnessed mistreatment is more severe. Finally, we find that although observer perspective-taking in the context of mistreatment can be encouraged, the effect seems to benefit instigators’ performance evaluations rather than targets’. Implications for targets, instigators, and organizations are discussed.
Metadata
Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2021 American Psychological Association. This is an author-produced version of a paper subsequently published in Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | workplace aggression; workplace incivility; third-parties; perspective-taking |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Social Sciences (Sheffield) > Management School (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 28 Apr 2021 09:58 |
Last Modified: | 09 Mar 2022 11:52 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Psychological Association |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | https://doi.org/10.1037/ocp0000205 |
Related URLs: |