Group Morality: Perceptions and Presentations

Abstract

Perceptions of the morality of organizations drive important outcomes for both organizations themselves and their stakeholders. In this symposium four teams of scholars present research on morality in groups explaining the psychological processes behind our perceptions of group morality as well as providing insight into the consequences that these perceptions create. Ana Gantman begins the symposium with evidence for a mental model through which people assess wrongdoing in hierarchical organizations. Next, Julia Langdon also explores perceptions following unethical behavior by group members. She investigates the relationship between the number of group members responsible and perceptions of the group as a whole, making the case that perceptions of collusion mediate this relationship. Subsequently, Aharon Mohliver explores how closing loopholes – an act done in the service of reducing deviance and increasing compliance – can, under certain conditions increase subversion. Finally, Bill Brady submits research that shows how the medium through which many people learn news – social media – is itself triggering systemic over perception of the moral outrage of groups. Together these talks provide insights into the underlying psychological mechanisms driving our perceptions of group morality, as well as the consequences that this can have. Intuitive Dualism and Corporate Responsibility Presenter: Ana Gantman; Brooklyn College Presenter: Nirupika Sharma; U. of California, Berkeley Presenter: Grace Flores-Robles; CUNY Graduate Center, Baruch College Members Behaving Badly: Perceptions of Group Morality Following Unethical Behavior Presenter: Julia A. Langdon; London Business School Presenter: Gabrielle Adams; U. of Virginia When a Finger in the Dike Floods the Plains: Closing Loopholes Can Increase Subversion of the Law Presenter: Aharon Cohen Mohliver; London Business School Presenter: Celia Moore; Imperial College Business School Overperception of collective outrage in online social networks Presenter: William Brady; Yale U. Presenter: Killian McLoughlin; Yale U. Presenter: Mark Torres; Yale U. Presenter: Kara Luo; Yale U. Presenter: Molly Crockett; Yale U.