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The hungry thief: Physiological deprivation and its effects on unethical behavior

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  • Yam, Kai Chi
  • Reynolds, Scott J.
  • Hirsh, Jacob B.

Abstract

We conducted five studies to examine the effects of physiological deprivation on unethical behavior. Consistent with predictions from Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory, we found that physiologically deprived participants engaged in unethical behavior related to obtaining physiological satiation. Contrary to models in which deprivation increases global unethical behavior, hungry and thirsty participants also engaged in less physiologically-unrelated unethical behavior compared to control participants (Studies 1–3). Studies 4 and 5 confirmed that the effects of physiological deprivation on both types of unethical behavior were mediated by a heightened engagement of the Behavioral Approach System (BAS). In addition, we found that the salience of an organizational ethical context acted as a boundary condition for the mediated effect. Participants reminded of the organizational ethical context were less likely to engage in need-related unethical behavior even when physiologically deprived. We conclude by considering the theoretical and practical implications of this research.

Suggested Citation

  • Yam, Kai Chi & Reynolds, Scott J. & Hirsh, Jacob B., 2014. "The hungry thief: Physiological deprivation and its effects on unethical behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 125(2), pages 123-133.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:125:y:2014:i:2:p:123-133
    DOI: 10.1016/j.obhdp.2014.07.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Tamás Keller & Hubert János Kiss & Szabolcs Számadó, 2020. "Cheating in primary school: Experimental evidence on ego-depletion and individual factors," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 2048, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    2. Christian T. Elbæk & Panagiotis Mitkidis & Lene Aarøe & Tobias Otterbring, 2023. "Subjective socioeconomic status and income inequality are associated with self-reported morality across 67 countries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Remus Ilies & Cathy Yang Guo & Sandy Lim & Kai Chi Yam & Xinxin Li, 2020. "Happy But Uncivil? Examining When and Why Positive Affect Leads to Incivility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 165(4), pages 595-614, September.
    4. Kai Chi Yam & Scott J. Reynolds, 2016. "The Effects of Victim Anonymity on Unethical Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 136(1), pages 13-22, June.
    5. Matthias Fink & Johannes Gartner & Rainer Harms & Isabella Hatak, 2023. "Ethical Orientation and Research Misconduct Among Business Researchers Under the Condition of Autonomy and Competition," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(2), pages 619-636, March.
    6. Ke Michael Mai & Aleksander P. J. Ellis & David T. Welsh, 2020. "How Perpetrator Gender Influences Reactions to Premeditated Versus Impulsive Unethical Behavior: A Role Congruity Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 166(3), pages 489-503, October.
    7. Kai Chi Yam & Scott J. Reynolds & Pengcheng Zhang & Runkun Su, 2022. "The Unintended Consequences of Empowering Leadership: Increased Deviance for Some Followers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(3), pages 683-700, December.

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