Helping an Attractive Group that Ostracized Me: An Experimental Vignette Study

Abstract

We examine the impact of group attractiveness on the relationship between workplace ostracism and organizational citizenship behaviours directed toward the group (OCBG). Research has long overlooked contextual features of ostracism at work. Using an experimental vignette methodology (N = 312), we found that physical attractiveness was critical in determining the mechanism by which ostracism influenced OCBG. The victims' social anxiety served as a mediator through which ostracism influenced OCBG when the ostracizing group was deemed to be low on attractiveness. However, the negative direct effect between ostracism and OCBG was observed only when group attractiveness was high. Our findings have implications for understanding the interplay between victims' individual differences and the context in which workplace ostracism is manifested.