TY - JOUR

T1 - Implicit Mental Processes in Ethical Management Behavior

AU - Marquardt, Nicki

PY - 2010/3

Y1 - 2010/3

N2 - This article examines the relationship between implicit mental processes and ethical decisions made by managers. Based on the dual-process view in social and cognitive psychology, it is argued that social cognition (e.g., moral judgments) can rely on two different modes of information processing. On one hand, moral judgments reflect explicit, conscious, and extensive cognitive processes, which are attributed to explicit attitude. On the other hand, moral judgments may also be based on implicit, automatic, and effortless processes referring to implicit attitude. To test this thesis, a study involving 182 participants was conducted. The results support the thesis.

AB - This article examines the relationship between implicit mental processes and ethical decisions made by managers. Based on the dual-process view in social and cognitive psychology, it is argued that social cognition (e.g., moral judgments) can rely on two different modes of information processing. On one hand, moral judgments reflect explicit, conscious, and extensive cognitive processes, which are attributed to explicit attitude. On the other hand, moral judgments may also be based on implicit, automatic, and effortless processes referring to implicit attitude. To test this thesis, a study involving 182 participants was conducted. The results support the thesis.

KW - Business psychology

KW - Ethical decision-making

KW - Implicit mental processes

KW - Implicit social cognition

KW - Managerial behavior

KW - Selective attention

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77949547035&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/10508421003595950

DO - 10.1080/10508421003595950

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 20

SP - 128

EP - 148

JO - Ethics & Behavior

JF - Ethics & Behavior

SN - 1050-8422

IS - 2

ER -