TY - JOUR
T1 - Being Moral When It Is Counternormative
T2 - The Relationship Between the Creative Identity and Moral Objection
AU - Vincent, Lynne C.
AU - Kouchaki, Maryam
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Relying on the work on creative prototype and role theory, we demonstrate that having a creative identity can lead to moral objection depending on the implication of the act for one’s identity as a creative individual. In a pilot study using a survey of working adults, we find that employees’ creative identities and their intention to object in moral situations are positively and significantly correlated. Utilizing measurement-of-mediation (Study 1) and experimental mediation (Studies 2–4) approaches, we test and find support for the mediating role of norm-breaking motives predicting moral objection. In Studies 2–4, we find that creative identities lead to moral objection when moral objection is counter-normative and not when it is an expected, normative behavior. Across five studies (N = 1,327), utilizing both experimental and correlational methods, this paper shows that creative identities can prompt moral objection when such objection is counter-normative, aligning with the creative prototype and reinforcing a creative identity through norm-breaking motives. We extend prior theories on the consequences of creativity, the creative prototype, creative identities, and their link with moral acts.
AB - Relying on the work on creative prototype and role theory, we demonstrate that having a creative identity can lead to moral objection depending on the implication of the act for one’s identity as a creative individual. In a pilot study using a survey of working adults, we find that employees’ creative identities and their intention to object in moral situations are positively and significantly correlated. Utilizing measurement-of-mediation (Study 1) and experimental mediation (Studies 2–4) approaches, we test and find support for the mediating role of norm-breaking motives predicting moral objection. In Studies 2–4, we find that creative identities lead to moral objection when moral objection is counter-normative and not when it is an expected, normative behavior. Across five studies (N = 1,327), utilizing both experimental and correlational methods, this paper shows that creative identities can prompt moral objection when such objection is counter-normative, aligning with the creative prototype and reinforcing a creative identity through norm-breaking motives. We extend prior theories on the consequences of creativity, the creative prototype, creative identities, and their link with moral acts.
KW - creative identity
KW - creative prototype
KW - moral objection
KW - morality
KW - norms
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U2 - 10.1177/01492063241305569
DO - 10.1177/01492063241305569
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85213568903
SN - 0149-2063
JO - Journal of Management
JF - Journal of Management
ER -