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The Effects of Victim Anonymity on Unethical Behavior

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  • Kai Chi Yam

    (University of Washington)

  • Scott J. Reynolds

    (University of Washington)

Abstract

We theorize that victim anonymity is an important factor in ethical decision making, such that actors engage in more self-interested and unethical behaviors toward anonymous victims than they do toward identifiable victims. Three experiments provided empirical support for this argument. In Study 1, participants withheld more life-saving products from anonymous than from identifiable victims. In Study 2, participants allocated a sum of payment more unfairly when interacting with an anonymous than with an identifiable partner. Finally, in Study 3, participants cheated more from an anonymous than from an identifiable person. Anticipated guilt fully mediated these effects in all three studies. Taken together, our research suggests that anonymous victims may be more likely to incur unethical treatment, which could explain many unethical business behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:136:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-014-2367-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-014-2367-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yajun Zhang & Kai Chi Yam & Maryam Kouchaki & Junwei Zhang, 2019. "Cut You Some Slack? An Investigation of the Perceptions of a Depleted Employee’s Unethicality," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 157(3), pages 673-683, July.
    2. Giuseppe Danese & Luigi Mittone, 2022. "The Tragedy of the Masks: curbing stockpiling behavior through a 'victim'," CEEL Working Papers 2201, Cognitive and Experimental Economics Laboratory, Department of Economics, University of Trento, Italia.
    3. Tang, Pok Man & Yam, Kai Chi & Koopman, Joel, 2020. "Feeling proud but guilty? Unpacking the paradoxical nature of unethical pro-organizational behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 68-86.
    4. TaeWoo Kim & Hyejin Lee & Michelle Yoosun Kim & SunAh Kim & Adam Duhachek, 2023. "AI increases unethical consumer behavior due to reduced anticipatory guilt," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 785-801, July.
    5. Nathan W. Mecham & Melissa F. Lewis-Western & David A. Wood, 2021. "The Effects of Pornography on Unethical Behavior in Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 168(1), pages 37-54, January.
    6. Li, Tian-Ge & Zhang, Chu-Bing & Chang, Ying & Zheng, Wei, 2024. "The impact of AI identity disclosure on consumer unethical behavior: A social judgment perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    7. Shi, Yujie & Mao, Jih-Yu & Guo, Li & Mu, Xinyan & Liu, Wenxing & He, Weiqun, 2024. "License for Wrongdoing: Why better relationships with leaders lead to employee unethical behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).

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