Disentangling the Relationship Between Implicit Aggressiveness and Counterproductive Work Behaviors: The Role of Job Attitudes

How does implicit aggressiveness translate into counterproductive work behaviors? The role of job satisfaction and workplace anger

“…In this sense, job attitudes would represent post hoc rationalizations of CWBs, which is in line with findings showing that rationalizations are often used to justify immoral or harmful actions (e.g., Calvete, 2008;Cromwell & Thurman, 2003;Mulder & van Dijk, 2020). Galić et al (2018) compared the contrasting causal sequences in two cross-sectional studies using large samples of employees who filled in the CRT-A as a measure of implicit aggressiveness. Both studies gave stronger support to the hypothesis that job attitudes are partly post hoc rationalizations of self-reported CWBs emerging from implicit aggressiveness.…”

“…Barsade et al, 2009;Uhlmann et al, 2012). In comparison to earlier studies that explored the issue empirically (e.g., Galić et al, 2018), contribution of this study follows from the research design in which we measured CWBs, job satisfaction, and workplace anger on two occasions. The design allowed us to juxtapose alternative causal sequences while reordering mediator and criterion in time and, therefore, conduct a stronger test of the fit of the data with specified causal models in comparison to earlier studies that were based exclusively on cross-sectional data.…”

“…Current meta-analytical evidence (Berry et al, 2010;James & LeBreton, 2012) and studies on CRT-A's incremental validity over explicit personality questionnaires (Galić, 2016;Galić et al, 2014Galić et al, , 2018James & LeBreton, 2012) indicate that the CRT-A's potential for predicting CWBs is promising. 1 However, little is known about exact psychological processes that explain the effect of implicit aggressiveness on CWBs.…”

“…Recently, Galić et al (2018) explored the relationship among implicit aggressiveness, job attitudes, and CWBs. More specifically, they tried to reconcile the idea that CWBs partly stem from implicit/unconscious urges, with social exchange theory that guided much of OB research (Cropanzano & Mitchell, 2005).…”