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A step too far? Leader racism inhibits transgression credit

Abrams, Dominic, Travaglino, Giovanni A., Randsley de Moura, Georgina, May, Philip J. (2014) A step too far? Leader racism inhibits transgression credit. European Journal of Social Psychology, 44 (7). pp. 730-735. ISSN 0046-2772. (doi:10.1002/ejsp.2063) (KAR id:48758)

Abstract

Prior research established that when in-group leaders commit serious transgressions, such as breaking enforceable rules or engaging in bribery, people treat them leniently compared with similarly transgressive regular group members or out-group leaders (‘transgression credit’). The present studies test a boundary condition of this phenomenon, specifically the hypothesis that transgression credit will be lost if a leader's action implies racist motivation. In study 1, in a corporate scenario, a transgressive in-group leader did or did not express racism. In study 2, in a sports scenario, an in-group or out-group leader or member transgressed rules with or without a racist connotation. Both studies showed that in-group transgressive leaders lost their transgression credit if their transgression included a racial connotation. Wider implications for constraining leaders' transgressions are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/ejsp.2063
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Georgina Randsley de Moura
Date Deposited: 05 Jun 2015 12:36 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 01:35 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/48758 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Abrams, Dominic.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-4572
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Travaglino, Giovanni A..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4091-0634
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Randsley de Moura, Georgina.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6285-6128
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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