Journal of Applied Psychology 2006

Understanding the emotional aspects of escalation of commitment: The role of negative affect.

Kin Fai Ellick Wong^1,2,3,4; Michelle Yik^1,2,3,4; Kin Fai Ellick Wong^1,2,3,4

¹ Chinese University of Hong Kong · ² Hong Kong University of Science and Technology · ³ Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations · ⁴ University of Hong Kong

Abstract

Despite the importance of understanding the emotional aspects of organizational decision making, prior research has paid scant attention to the role of emotion in escalation of commitment. This article attempts to fill this gap by examining the relationship between negative affect and escalation of commitment. Results showed that regardless of whether negative affect was measured as a dispositional trait (Neuroticism) in Studies 1 and 2 or as a transient mood state in Study 3, it was negatively correlated with escalation tendency when one was personally responsible for a prior decision. This pattern of results is consistent with the predictions derived from the coping perspective, suggesting that people seek to escape from the unpleasant emotions that are associated with escalation situations.

DOI

10.1037/0021-9010.91.2.282

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