The slippery slope: How small ethical transgressions pave the way for larger future transgressions.

Abstract

Many recent corporate scandals have been described as resulting from a slippery slope in which a series of small infractions gradually increased over time (e.g., McLean & Elkind, 2003). However, behavioral ethics research has rarely considered how unethical behavior unfolds over time. In this study, we draw on theories of self-regulation to examine whether individuals engage in a slippery slope of increasingly unethical behavior. First, we extend Bandura's (1991, 1999) social-cognitive theory by demonstrating how the mechanism of moral disengagement can reduce ethicality over a series of gradually increasing indiscretions. Second, we draw from recent research connecting regulatory focus theory and behavioral ethics (Gino & Margolis, 2011) to demonstrate that inducing a prevention focus moderates this mediated relationship by reducing one's propensity to slide down the slippery slope. We find support for the developed model across 4 multiround studies.

The slippery slope of dishonesty

“…1b). These results indicate that dishonesty escalates when it is self-serving and therefore support prior research showing a slippery slope of dishonesty 6 . Does such an escalation occur generally when participants have the opportunity to be dishonest, or is it specific for self-serving dishonesty?…”

“…Recently, however, we have witnessed a number of striking and widely covered examples of dishonesty, ranging from Ponzi schemes to publicly misrepresenting earnings (see Enron) to disguising the true risk of financial assets (many banks in the lead-up to 2009), all of which contribute to a dishonest business culture 5 that may have partially caused the 2009 financial crisis. One intriguing hypothesis suggests that such crass cases of dishonesty start with an initially small, easily justifiable transgression that gradually escalates to ever-larger ones 6 . Results from a recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment by Garrett et al 7 show that the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal in the amygdala gradually adapts to self-serving dishonesty, suggesting that amygdala adaptation may represent the neurobiological basis of the slippery slope of moral degradation.…”

Aproximaciones Psicosociales a la Corrupción: Una Revisión Teórica

“…Otra de las posibles explicaciones es la llamada pendiente resbaladiza de las conductas deshonestas, según la cual la comisión de pequeñas conductas deshonestas de manera gradual y a lo largo del tiempo lleva a las personas a cometer actos deshonestos mayores en el futuro (Welsh, Ordóñez, Snyder, & Christian, 2015). Estas últimas conductas serían impensables para los individuos si aparecieran de manera abrupta.…”

Negative organizational dynamics as enabler of white-collar crime

“…The majority of unethical behaviors are unintentional and ordinary, thus affecting everyone and providing support for unethical behavior when people unconsciously lower the bar over time through small changes in their ethical behavior. Welsh et al (2014) argue that many recent scandals can be described as resulting from a slippery slope in which a series of small infractions gradually increase over time. Committing small indiscretions over time may gradually lead people to complete larger unethical acts that they otherwise would have judged to be impermissible.…”

“…Individuals tend to rationalize minor unethical acts so that they may derive some benefit without being forced to negatively update their self-concept. For example, a minor transgression such as taking a pen home from the office may seem permissible, whereas taking money out of the company cash drawer may more clearly be thought of as stealing (Welsh et al, 2014). Murphy and Dacin (2011) A fourth theoretical perspective on organizational dynamics as enabler of white-collar crime is neutralization theory (Sykes and Matza, 1957).…”