Violence, Aggression, and Ethics: The Link Between Exposure to Human Violence and Unethical Behavior

Joshua R. Gubler, Skye Herrick, Richard A. Price and David A. Wood ()
Additional contact information
Joshua R. Gubler: Brigham Young University
Skye Herrick: Google Inc.
Richard A. Price: Utah State University
David A. Wood: Brigham Young University

Journal of Business Ethics, 2018, vol. 147, issue 1, No 3, 25-34

Abstract: Abstract Can exposure to media portrayals of human violence impact an individual’s ethical decision making at work? Ethical business failures can result in enormous financial losses to individuals, businesses, and society. We study how exposure to human violence—especially through media—can cause individuals to make less ethical decisions. We present three experiments, each showing a causal link between exposure to human violence and unethical business behavior, and show this relationship is mediated by an increase in individual hostility levels as a result of exposure to violence. Using observational data, we then provide evidence suggesting that this relationship extends beyond the context of our experiments, showing that companies headquartered in locations marked by greater human violence are more likely to fraudulently misstate their financial statements and exhibit more aggressive financial reporting. Combined, our results suggest that exposure to human violence has significant and real effects on an individual’s ethical decision making.

Keywords: Violence; Aggression; Ethics; Hostility; Dehumanization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2926-4

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