When does self-esteem relate to deviant behavior? The role of contingencies of self-worth. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Researchers have assumed that low self-esteem predicts deviance, but empirical results have been mixed. This article draws upon recent theoretical developments regarding contingencies of self-worth to clarify the self-esteem/deviance relation. It was predicted that self-esteem level would relate to deviance only when self-esteem was not contingent on workplace performance. In this manner, contingent self-esteem is a boundary condition for self-consistency/behavioral plasticity theory predictions. Using multisource data collected from 123 employees over 6 months, the authors examined the interaction between level (high/low) and type (contingent/noncontingent) of self-esteem in predicting workplace deviance. Results support the hypothesized moderating effects of contingent self-esteem; implications for self-esteem theories are discussed.

published proceedings

  • J Appl Psychol

author list (cited authors)

  • Ferris, D. L., Brown, D. J., Lian, H., & Keeping, L. M.

citation count

  • 92

complete list of authors

  • Ferris, D Lance||Brown, Douglas J||Lian, Huiwen||Keeping, Lisa M

publication date

  • September 2009