Risk sensitivity mediates the relationship between construal level and ethical decision making

Abstract

Although researchers have proposed that construal level has a substantive impact on decision making in ethical scenarios, the internal mechanism underlying this relationship is yet to be fully explored. Drawing on construal level theory and risk sensitivity theory, we conducted two ethical dilemma experiments to test the mediating role of risk sensitivity in the relationship between construal level and ethical decision making. In Study 1 we found that individuals with a high (vs. low) construal level were more likely to intend to behave ethically. In Study 2 we tested the mediating effect of risk sensitivity in this relationship. Individuals with a high (vs. low) construal level demonstrated lower risk preference and were sensitive to the change in level of risk, which resulted in decisions for behaviors that were more ethical. Conversely, individuals with a low construal level focused more on short-term interests and showed insensitivity to risk level, resulting in self-interested and unethical decisions. The practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.