Organizational justice and men's likelihood to sexually harass: the moderating role of sexism and personality

J Appl Psychol. 2009 Mar;94(2):501-10. doi: 10.1037/a0013391.

Abstract

This study demonstrated relations between men's perceptions of organizational justice and increased sexual harassment proclivities. Respondents reported higher likelihood to sexually harass under conditions of low interactional justice, suggesting that sexual harassment likelihood may increase as a response to perceived injustice. Moreover, the relation between justice and sexual harassment proclivities was especially marked for men low in agreeableness and high in hostile sexism. This finding is consistent with an interactionist perspective, suggesting that individual differences in hostility in general and toward women in particular affect how a person reacts to perceived unfairness.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Character*
  • Humans
  • Job Satisfaction
  • Likelihood Functions
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organizational Culture*
  • Personnel Management
  • Prejudice*
  • Sexual Harassment / psychology*
  • Social Justice*
  • Young Adult