Stress and unethical consumer attitudes: The mediating role of construal level and materialism

Abstract

Understanding why individuals behave unethically is an important topic for both theory and practice, especially nowadays when people experience many stressful events. The current research aims at examining the relationship between peoples' experienced stress and their attitude towards unethical consumption behavior, and the underlying mechanism. Empirical findings from a survey of 451 participants suggest that individuals' chronic perceived stress serves positively relate to the tolerance of unethical activities, and that this relationship is mediated by construal level and materialism value. Specifically, stressed individuals tend to develop low-level construal and high materialism values, both of which further increase their tolerance of ethically questionable behaviors.

Materialistic cues make us miserable: A meta‐analysis of the experimental evidence for the effects of materialism on individual and societal well‐being

“…Also, the effect of materialistic cues on ethical and unethical decision making has been identified as an underdeveloped area in the literature. In addition, further research should investigate the causal link between well‐being and materialism, as there are a number of studies that have hinted at a possible bidirectional relationship between the two variables (Chang & Arkin, 2002; Chaplin & John, 2007; Lambert et al, 2009; Liu, Zhao, & Liu, 2018). Furthermore, given that the use of experimental methodologies in the materialism‐well‐being literature is relatively new, the data does not go back far enough to test for generational effects that could help us deepen our understanding of the effect of societal changes on well‐being.…”

Counteracting the effects of performance pressure on cheating: A self-affirmation approach.

“…A personal values intervention may neutralize this effect, as self-affirmations can buffer depletion processes (Schmeichel & Vohs, 2009). Construal level (Trope & Liberman, 2010) is a possible mediator because performance pressure may lead to a more concrete construal level as one focuses more on the current, specific demands of the situation, and the potential for failure seems closer (Liu et al, 2018). In turn, a more concrete construal level may lead to cheating because people are less focused on acting in line with long-term interests (Tenbrunsel et al, 2010).…”

Factors influencing unethical behaviour in banking industry

“…According to Liu et al (2018), stress is a condition where a relationship between an individual and his surroundings is perceived as dangerous by the individual. This definition focuses on an individual reaction and refers to stress as a subjective perspective toward unpredictable and insurmountable change.…”

“…Logically, stress can influence unethical behaviour since stress is defined as a condition where a relationship between an individual and his surroundings is perceived as dangerous by the individual (Liu et al, 2018). When stress occurs, a person will be pressured and anxious.…”