Impacts of Unethical Behavior on Self-Esteem: A Contingent Dual-Process Model

Author:

Liang Yuan12,Huang Lingling2,Liu Li2ORCID,Tan Xuyun3,Ren Deyun24

Affiliation:

1. Army Engineering University of PLA, Xuzhou, China

2. Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China

3. Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China

4. Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China

Abstract

Previous studies have reported mixed findings on how and why unethical behavior affects self-esteem. To address this issue, a contingent dual-process model is proposed and tested. The model postulates a negative impact of unethical behavior on self-esteem through decreased morality, a positive effect through increased competence, and the relative strength of these two paths depending on system-justifying motives. Studies using unethical behavior for self-interest (Studies 1 and 2), involving ingroup interest (Study 3), and measuring (Studies 1 and 3) and manipulating general system justification (Study 2) provide support for the model. By identifying the effects of system-justifying motives and linking the two competing paths, the model reconciles inconsistencies in previous research regarding how self-esteem is influenced by unethical behavior and reveals the underlying mechanism of this association. Accordingly, the current research constructs a motivational and superordinate framework to clarify the dynamic consequences of unethical behavior.

Funder

Major Project of the National Social Science Foundation of China

National Natural Science Foundation of China

Project of Humanities and Social Science Research of the Ministry of Education of China

Publisher

SAGE Publications

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