Two facets of pride and helping

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the influence of two different facets of pride – authentic and hubristic – on helping.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were tested combining an experimental vignette study (n=75) with correlational field research (n=184).

Findings

Results reveal that hubristic pride is associated with lower levels of intended helping compared with authentic pride when experimentally induced; further, trait hubristic pride is negatively related with helping, whereas trait authentic pride is positively related to helping, while controlling for alternative affective and cognitive explanations.

Research limitations/implications

The use of vignettes and self-reports limits the ecological validity of the results. But when considered in combination, results provide important indications on how helping can be fostered in organizations: by emphasizing successes and the efforts that were necessary to achieve them.

Originality/value

The results highlight the differential effects of discrete emotions in organizations.

Citation

Brosi, P., Spörrle, M., Welpe, I.M. and Shaw, J.D. (2016), "Two facets of pride and helping", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 976-988. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-05-2015-0186