The Cost of Being Mean: Why We Only Harm Others When It's Free | Ep 9 S2

📄 Full research article: https://www.keca.co.uk/articles/everyday-sadism-at-work Does the cost of an action change who engages in everyday sadism? We look at the experiment that reveals the answer. This episode examines an experiment where participants could blast a stranger with unpleasant noise. When the opportunity was free, specific personality traits predicted participation. However, when participants had to complete a boring task first to earn the chance, the results shifted, suggesting that the cost of an action heavily influences who decides to engage in it. Understanding these dynamics is essential for modern organizational psychology. By distinguishing between innate tendencies and the situational factors that trigger them, we can better interpret workplace behaviour. This breakdown separates the evidence from common assumptions, offering a clearer view of how costs and constraints alter conduct in professional settings. Subscribe for weekly organisational psychology breakdowns, and let me know in the comments: what do you think influences cruel behaviour in your workplace? #workplacepsychology #toxiccoworkers #organisationalpsychology