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

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua R. Gubler

    (Brigham Young University)

  • Skye Herrick

    (Google Inc.)

  • Richard A. Price

    (Utah State University)

  • David A. Wood

    (Brigham Young University)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua R. Gubler & Skye Herrick & Richard A. Price & David A. Wood, 2018. "Violence, Aggression, and Ethics: The Link Between Exposure to Human Violence and Unethical Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 147(1), pages 25-34, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:147:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-015-2926-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2926-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jonathan M. Karpoff & D. Scott Lee & Gerald S. Martin, 2014. "The Consequences to Managers for Financial Misrepresentation," Springer Books, in: Roberto Pietra & Stuart McLeay & Joshua Ronen (ed.), Accounting and Regulation, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 339-375, Springer.
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    4. Joshua Gubler & Nathan Kalmoe & David Wood, 2015. "Them’s Fightin’ Words: The Effects of Violent Rhetoric on Ethical Decision Making in Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 130(3), pages 705-716, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rohit Varman & Per Skålén & Russell W. Belk & Himadri Roy Chaudhuri, 2021. "Normative Violence in Domestic Service: A Study of Exploitation, Status, and Grievability," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 171(4), pages 645-665, July.
    2. Nathan W. Mecham & Melissa F. Lewis-Western & David A. Wood, 2021. "The Effects of Pornography on Unethical Behavior in Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 168(1), pages 37-54, January.
    3. Clément Dubreuil & Delphine Dion & Stéphane Borraz, 2023. "For the Love of the Game: Moral Ambivalence and Justification Work in Consuming Violence," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(3), pages 675-694, September.
    4. Jeremy D. Mackey & Lei Huang & Wei He, 2020. "You Abuse and I Criticize: An Ego Depletion and Leader–Member Exchange Examination of Abusive Supervision and Destructive Voice," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 164(3), pages 579-591, July.

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