Slippery slopes and misconduct
Subtitle: the effect of gradual degradation on the failure to notice others' unethical behavior
By: Francesca Gino, Max H. Bazerman
Contributors: Bazerman, Max H.; Harvard Business School. Division of Research
Edition: 2nd Rev.
Series: Working paper / Division of Research, Harvard Business School -- 06-007; Working paper (Harvard Business School. Division of Research) -- 06-007
Publisher: Division of Research, Harvard Business School
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Boston]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 47
Description: Four laboratory studies show that people are more likely to accept others' unethical behavior when ethical degradation occurs slowly rather than in one abrupt shift. In the studies, participants served in the role of watchdogs charged with catching cheating in a series of trials. The cheating they observed increased either gradually or abruptly; people were more likely to overlook cheating that increased gradually. Our studies also provide evidence as to why people accept cheating by others. Our results indicate that the effect is due at least in part to the failure to notice that unethical behavior is occurring when the change is gradual rather than abrupt.
Notes: "2nd revision February 2007"--Publisher's web site.

Originally published as: Slippery slopes and misconduct: the effect of gradual degradation on the failure to notice unethical behavior. c2005.

"Draft : February 18, 2007"--Added t.p.

Includes bibliographical references.