Just Feelings? The Role of Affect in the Formation of Organizational Fairness Judgments

Abstract

In contrast to traditional conceptualizations of organizational justice as representing isolated judgments stemming from a “cold” rational calculus, justice judgments are instead part of a “hot” and affectively laden appraisal process, emerging over time through the interplay of work and nonwork experiences as well as through emotions and moods. The authors articulate how emotional reactions shape fairness judgments and how incidental emotional experiences and ambient moods influence the occurrence and appraisal of justice events in the workplace.