Seeking less efficient help: Effects of envy on help seeking in teams

In this research, we explore the effect of malicious envy on people's help seeking behaviors toward their envied peers. Based on a cost-benefit model, we hypothesize that malicious envy toward superior teammates has detrimental effects on help seeking. We test our hypotheses across a hypothetical scenario study and a lab experiment involving real decisions and performance-based monetary stakes. In both studies we manipulate malicious envy, and measure participants' willingness to seek help from their peers as well as the type of help they seek. Consistent with a cost-benefit account, we find that people are less likely to seek help, particularly autonomous help, from their envied (vs. non-envied) teammates. We also test (in Study 2) and discuss potential underlying mechanisms.