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I’m Number One! Does Narcissism Impair Ethical Judgment Even for the Highly Religious?

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Abstract

Can an assessment of individuals’ narcissism help explain the quality of a respondent’s ethical judgment? How is the relationship between religiosity and ethical judgment moderated by the effects of narcissism? With a sample of 385 undergraduate business majors, this study uses a taxonomic approach to examine the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity as well as orthodox Christian beliefs on ethical judgment. Three distinct clusters were identified: Skeptics, Nominals, and Devouts. Surprisingly, of the three clusters, Nominals and Devouts were the only groups impacted by narcissism, although Skeptics overall demonstrate the worst ethical judgment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marketing Department, Baylor University, One Bear Place, #98007, Waco, TX, 76798, USA

    Marjorie J. Cooper & Chris Pullig

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  1. Marjorie J. Cooper
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  2. Chris Pullig
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Correspondence to Marjorie J. Cooper.

Appendix: Scale Items

Appendix: Scale Items

Ethical Judgments (Conroy and Emerson 2004)

Please read each of the following scenarios and indicate to what degree you believe the behavior is acceptable: (1 = “Never Acceptable” to 7 = “Always Acceptable”)

  • An underpaid executive padded his expense account by about $3,000 a year.

  • A company paid a $350,000 “consulting” fee to an official of a foreign country. In return, the official promised assistance in obtaining a contract that will produce $10 million profit for the contracting company.

  • A corporate executive promoted a loyal friend and competent manager to the position of divisional vice president in preference to a better-qualified manager with whom he had no close personal ties.

  • As part of the marketing strategy for a product, the producer changed its color and marketed it as “new and improved,” even though its other characteristics were unchanged.

  • Martha is a new sales representative who is taking over a sales territory in which her firm has been unsuccessful in landing a very large client, Giant, Inc. determined to make the sale, Martha decided to violate company policy and pay for a gift to Giant, Inc.’s manager.

  • An electricity producer decided not to upgrade a smokestack scrubber since its releases are still within the legal limits and the upgrade would reduce profits by 10%.

Religiosity (Gorsuch and McPherson 1989)

For each of the following statements, please choose the response that is reflective of your own beliefs: (1 = “I strongly disagree” to 5 = “I strongly agree”—I = Intrinsic, Es = Extrinsic Social, Ep = Extrinsic Personal)

  • I enjoy reading about my religion. (I)

  • I go to church because it helps me to make friends. (Es)

  • It doesn’t much matter what I believe so long as I am good. (I)

  • It is important to me to spend time in private thought and prayer. (I)

  • I have often had a strong sense of God’s presence. (I)

  • I pray mainly to gain relief and protection. (Ep)

  • I try hard to live all my life according to my religious beliefs. (I)

  • What religion offers me most is comfort in times of trouble and sorrow. (Ep)

  • Prayer is for peace and happiness. (Ep)

  • Although I am religious, I don’t let it affect my daily life. (I)

  • I go to church mostly to spend time with my friends. (Es)

  • My whole approach to life is based on my religion. (I)

  • I go to church mainly because I enjoy seeing people I know there. (Es)

  • Although I believe in my religion, many other things are more important in life. (I)

Orthodox Christian Beliefs (Hunsberger 1989)

For each the statements below please choose the response that is reflective of your own beliefs: (1 = “Strongly disagree” to 6 = “Strongly agree”)

  • Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God.

  • The Bible may be an important book of moral teachings, but it was no more inspired by God than were many other such books in the history of human beings.

  • The concept of God is an old superstition that is no longer needed to explain things in the modern era.

  • Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God provided a way for the forgiveness of people’s sins.

  • Despite what many people believe, there is no such thing as a God who is aware of people’s actions.

  • Jesus was crucified, died, and buried, but on the third day He rose from the dead.

  • God is one in essence and yet is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Narcissim—NPI-16 (Ames et al. 2006)

Please read each pair of statements and then choose the one that is closer to your own feelings and beliefs. Indicate your answer by choosing the statement that best represents your feelings. (Coded 0–1)

I know that I am good because everybody keeps telling me so.

When people compliment me I sometimes get embarrassed.

I like to be the center of attention.

I prefer to blend in with the crowd.

I think I am a special person.

I am no better and no worse than most people.

I like having authority over people.

I don’t mind following orders.

I find it easy to manipulate people.

I don’t like it when I find myself manipulating people.

I insist upon getting the respect that is due me.

I usually get the respect that I deserve.

I am apt to show off if I get the chance.

I try not to be a show off.

I always know what I am doing.

Sometimes I am not sure of what I am doing.

Everybody likes to hear my stories.

Sometimes I tell good stories.

I expect a great deal from other people.

I like to do things for other people.

I really like to be the center of attention.

It makes me uncomfortable to be the center of attention.

People always seem to recognize my authority.

Being an authority doesn’t mean that much to me.

I am going to be a great person.

I hope I am going to be successful.

I can make anybody believe anything I want them to.

People sometimes believe what I tell them.

I am more capable than other people.

There is a lot that I can learn from other people.

I am an extraordinary person.

I am much like everybody else.

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Cooper, M.J., Pullig, C. I’m Number One! Does Narcissism Impair Ethical Judgment Even for the Highly Religious?. J Bus Ethics 112, 167–176 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1239-0

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