An allegation of unethical workplace practices undermines trust in the accused and increases trust in the accuser, but only if the allegation is made in good faith, according to new research. The series of studies, entitled "Building Trust by Scaring Others:When Accusing Others of Unethical Behavior Builds Trust," was recently published.
The researchers conducted several experiments focusing on common ethical questions that arise in the workplace, such as using a toxic ingredient in a product or lying about company performance. The main findings are:
* Making an accusation instills cognitive confidence in observers. People who witness an accusation feel that the accuser is more reliable afterwards.
* Making an accusation also instills behavioral confidence in observers. People who witness an accusation are more likely to reward accusers.
* But hypocrisy undermines that extra confidence. Observers who realize that an allegation is insincere will no longer trust the accuser.
* Likewise, a later revealed allegation that is false returns confidence gains.
* The defendants' intentions don't seem to matter. Regardless of whether the suspect meant well or not, the prosecutor always comes first.
