It’s all about control: The role of self-control in buffering the effects of negative reciprocity beliefs and trait anger on workplace deviance

Drawing upon the general aggression model, general theory of crime, and the integrative cognitive model of trait anger, we examined the role of self-control in buffering the effects of negative reciprocity beliefs and trait anger on workplace deviance. A total of 125 employees participated in the study. Results supported the hypothesized direct effects of negative reciprocity beliefs, trait anger, and self-control on archival data on workplace deviance. In addition, self-control moderated these relationships. Specifically, there was a weaker positive relationship between negative reciprocity beliefs, trait anger and workplace deviance for employees with high as opposed to low levels of self-control. These findings supported the view that self-control can override predispositions to engage in deviant behaviors.