Emotions Violence and Counterproductive Work Behavior Paul E - PDF document

Emotions, Violence, andCounterproductiveWork BehaviorPaul E.SpectorSuzy FoxTheresa Domagalski 3 psychology has evolved from an initial focus on frustration mainly as a sit-of counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Injustice and stressful condi-of a target, whether physical or psychological, at times impulsively and imme-desired ends. In work organizations, instrumental aggression may be the cho- 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 29 customer or client violence,which is most likely affective in nature.violence is very similar to coworker violence, although the acts are more imme-Counterproductive Work Behavior and Violence ________of aggressive behavior such as verbal aggression and other forms of mis-Neuman and Barons (1997, 1998, 2005) work, based on the human aggres- 30PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 30 attributions, coupled with perceived intentionality, are likely to lead to neg-Spector and Fox (2002, 2005) developed a model of CWB that gives cen-to be stressors induce negative emotions, including anger, anxiety, and depres-Emotional Experience Versus Affective Dispositions ______ 32PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 32 conflict, organizational constraints, role ambiguity, role conflict, and work-frustration included job satisfaction, work anxiety, physical health symp-toms, employee withdrawal behavior (e.g., intention to quit, but not absence),of anger but not experienced frustration correlated with theft, and anger cor-and sabotage. It is noteworthy that most of the studies reported in this meta-Kelloway,2000) stressors (conflict, .44) and to CWB (targeting orga-absence) were derived from expressive motives, primarily influenced by affec-increase it. Unfortunately, they were not able to test the distinct antecedents ofWDBO versus WDBI, as they were unable to obtain a factor structure justify- 34PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 34 negative emotions that vary in intensity ranging from mild irritation to out-CWB more so than those who are low in trait anger, the observed relation-the individual tendency to assess the long-term consequences of ones behav-existence of three control-related personality types: chronically overcon-aggressive and counterproductivebehavior; however, more extreme acts ofviolence may be exhibited instead by those classified as chronically overcon-The Megargee classification theorizes the relationship between an indi-vidual disposition and aggression but does not consider situational influ- 36PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 36 The value of specifying theoretical models that explore the interac-addressed in a study by Skarlicki et al. (1999). They found that for individ-(ORB). ORB was opera-tionalized as behavior that includes purposely damaging company equip-Negative affectivity was also examined as a possible predictor of retalia-negative affect have not been shown to directly engage in workplace aggres-sion (Douglas & Martinko, 2001; Hepworth & Towler, 2004). These seem-not necessarily independently explain acts of workplace violence or aggres-sion but instead require theoretical frameworks to model the joint effects of 38PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 38 those high in affective traits might find themselves in worse jobs that may behigh-NA individuals are aggressive is that they are in jobs that are more pro-ality traits, interactions among some traits might be important. As noted ear-high in affective traits, will likely be hyperreactive to the environment, fre-conditions and situations in the work environment. Although some individ- 40PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 40 policies can go a long way toward minimizing CWB, particularly in combi-policies that empower employees to deal with clients or customers whoSummary and Conclusions ___________________________we have shown, work stressors can trigger anger, anxiety, and other emo-Personality serves an important function as well, as the interplay of individ- 42PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 42 Journal of Organizational Behavior,18,Domagalski, T., & Steelman, L. (2004. August). The impact of work events and dis-(p. 44).Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.Organizational Behavior,20,Fox, S., Spector, P. E., & Miles, D. (2001). Counterproductive work behavior (CWB) inresponse to job stressors and organizational justice: Some mediator and moderatorJournal of Vocational Behavior,59,Deviant Behavior,7,Journal of Emotional Abuse,1,(p. 44).Washington, DC: AmericanJournal of Applied Psychology,87, 44PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 44 Journal of AppliedPsychology,82,Academy of Management Journal,Personnel Psychology,31,Journal of Applied Psychology,85,Journal of Applied Psychology,73,(p. 46).Washington, DC:Journal of Organizational Behavior,21,Spielberger, C. D., Ritterband, L. M., Sydeman, S. J., Reheiser, E. C., & Unger, K. K.Practical approaches. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology,5,Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology,5, 46PERSPECTIVES ON WORKPLACE VIOLENCE 03-Kelloway-4838.qxd 12/19/2005 3:42 PM Page 46