The influence of nonconscious processes on perceptions of downsizing and terminations

ABSTRACT

Although social and cognitive psychologists have developed a large body of research on priming and other nonconscious processes, relatively little research has focused on how these issues influence organizationally relevant phenomena. The current research sought to partially fill this void by examining the influence of nonconscious processes on perceptions of organizational downsizing. In three studies, individuals were primed with traits of self-reliance or employer-reliance either supraliminally (Study 1) or subliminally (Studies 2 and 3). Studies 1 and 2 found that individuals primed with self-reliance had less negative views of downsizing. Experiment 3 found that those primed with self-reliance reported greater perceptions of fair treatment, respect for their boss, and decreased levels of anger in response to a termination scenario. Implications and future directions are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Downsizing
• employer-reliance
• priming
• self reliance
• terminations

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sean Walker

Sean Walker is affiliated with the Department of Management, Marketing and Information Systems, University of Tennessee at Martin. Steven Karau is affiliated with the Department of Management, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.