Date of Graduation
5-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Marketing
Advisor/Mentor
Anand, Vikas
Abstract
This study examines how public perception of individuals pressured with unethical decisions can be dependent on perceived personality traits of the individual. An observer's perception is analyzed through two perspective behaviors: normative (desired) and expected. The two personality traits examined are perceived ambition and perceived individual power distance. Data was obtained for this study from a sample of 152 undergraduate students through a survey where respondents were randomly given one of four manipulated scenarios. The survey measured the respondent's beliefs on what an individual in the scenario should (normative) and would (expected) do when faced with an unethical decision. The results of this study suggest significant relationships between perceived power distance and an observer's perceptions on an individual's normative and expected behavior. There is a negative relationship between perceived power distance and normative behavior, suggesting that the larger the perceived power distance, the more likely an observer believes an individual's normative action should be ethical. However, there is a positive relationship between perceived power distance and expected behavior, suggesting as power distance becomes larger, an observer will expect the individual to act unethically.
Citation
Hancock, A. (2012). The observing public's perception on individual's behavior when pressured with unethical decisions. Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/mktguht/18
