Ostracism and prosocial behavior: A social dilemma perspective

• Published in: Organizational behavior and human decision processes Vol. 120; no. 2; pp. 298 - 308
• Main Authors: Balliet, Daniel, Ferris, D.Lance
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Elsevier Inc 01.03.2013; Elsevier Science Publishing Company, Inc
• Subjects: Behavior; Conceptualization; Conflict; Conflict management; Consideration of future consequences; Cooperation; Game theory; Interactionism; Long-term analysis; Organizational citizenship behavior; Ostracism; Prosocial behavior; Prosocial behaviour; Rejection; Social behaviour; Social dilemmas; Social sciences; Studies; Temptation; Time orientation; Work place; Workplaces; Rejection; Prosocial behavior; Cooperation; Consideration of future consequences; Ostracism; Social dilemmas; Organizational citizenship behavior; Time orientation
• ISSN: 0749-5978; 1095-9920
• DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2012.04.004

► We apply a social dilemma analysis to prosocial behavior at work. ► This predicts future orientation moderates ostracism and prosocial behavior. ► Three studies (survey, experimental, field) test this prediction. ► Future orientation reduces the effect of ostracism on prosocial behavior at work. Prior research has yielded mixed findings regarding the relation of ostracism to prosocial behavior, with studies indicating ostracism leads people to become less prosocial, more prosocial, or that prosocial behavior is unaffected by workplace ostracism. By conceptualizing prosocial behavior at work as a social dilemma, we hypothesized that whether or not individuals reduce prosocial behaviors following ostracism can be understood by how individuals manage the conflict between the immediate temptation to treat others poorly and the long-term benefits of not giving into such temptations. Across three studies – a scenario (Study 1), experimental (Study 2), and field study on employed adults (Study 3) – we find support for the hypothesis that individuals who are less (versus more) oriented towards future outcomes engage in less prosocial behaviors with others who have ostracized them during prior interactions. We discuss both the practical and theoretical implications of these findings.