Preliminary evidence for counterproductive work behavior as a workplace manifestation of science skepticism

Abstract

Although media has called attention to overly skeptical attitudes towards science in public policy, medicine, and other domains, the effects of science skepticism in the workplace are largely unexplored. Consequently, we investigated whether science skepticism correlated with counterproductive workplace behaviors (CWB). Data from 120 self-reports and 57 supervisor-subordinate dyads shows that some forms of science skepticism relate to self- and supervisor-rated CWB, even controlling for negative affectivity. Furthermore, the MODE model supports the involvement of individual differences in the activation of an attitude, so we also tested if hostile attributional style and learning goal orientation moderated this relationship. Data from 148 participants recruited from an online panel shows a positive relationship between science skepticism and CWB, and that this relationship was strengthened when participants held hostile attribution styles. This moderation was weakened by learning goal orientation. Altogether, our two small online studies provide initial evidence for detrimental workplace outcomes associated with science skepticism and are intended to invigorate future research on this topic.