Perceived Overqualification and Interpersonal Outcomes via Pride: An Evolutionary Psychology View

Abstract

The current study examines both the positive and negative interpersonal consequences of perceived overqualification. Building on theories of evolutionary psychology and prior research, we clarify the underlying mechanism of pride through which perceived overqualification predicts different interpersonal behaviors. Specifically, we propose that perceived overqualification is positively related to authentic pride which further predicts higher interpersonal citizenship behaviors; meanwhile, perceived overqualification is also positively related to hubristic pride, leading to increased interpersonal deviance behaviors. Further, we suggest that willingness to establish positive relationships plays a crucial role in moderating the pride – interpersonal behavior relationships. We tested our predictions across two studies using time-lagged and multi-sourced data. Study 1 with a sample of 206 university students provides support to the basic mediation model specifying the effects of perceived overqualification on interpersonal citizenship and deviance behaviors through authentic and hubristic pride, respectively. In Study 2, analyses of survey responses from 213 employees replicate the results of Study 1 and further reveal that the indirect effect of perceived overqualification on interpersonal deviance behavior via hubristic pride was moderated by employees’ willingness to establish positive relationships. The theoretical and practical implications of our findings, as well as future research directions, are discussed.