In defense of leader misconduct: the use of neutralization techniques by ingroup members

ABSTRACT

The current study is an initial effort to investigate the value of neutralization theory to understand how, by what method, to what degree, and in what condition ingroup members defend their leader against charges of misconduct. We propose that ingroup members use neutralizing techniques to defend their leaders in the same way they would defend themselves. After exploring the underlying social identity theory driving the use of leader defense, we test our proposition by analyzing the Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Republican Staff Report. Using content analysis, we determine the presence of neutralization techniques and classify those instances into specific neutralization categories proposed in the literature. Using a post-hoc analysis, we then explore under what conditions ingroup members use specific neutralization techniques in defense of an ingroup leader. Our study extends prior theory and research by examining the use of neutralization techniques in defense of an ingroup leader’s alleged misconduct.

KEYWORDS:

• Neutralization techniques
• social identity
• content analysis
• transgression credit
• subjective group dynamics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data described in this article are openly available in the Open Science Framework at https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hcbe_facarticles/1166/.

Open scholarship

This article has earned the Center for Open Science badge for Open Materials. The materials are openly accessible at https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hcbe_facarticles/1166/.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Randi L. Sims

Dr Randi L. Sims is currently a Professor of Management for Nova Southeastern University, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her teaching and research interests lie in the fields of ethical decision making, organizational behavior, and academic dishonesty. She has published in Journal of Business Ethics, Business & Society, International Journal of Stress Management, Educational and Psychological Measurement, International Journal of Value Based Management, and Journal of Psychology among others.

Tais S. Barreto

Dr Tais S. Barreto is an assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her research interests include cross-cultural management and the impact of culture and social context on behavior, organizational learning, and innovation. Her work has been published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, Journal of International Business Studies, and International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, among others.