Witnessing Rudeness and Prosociality Toward Uninvolved Others: Roles of Empathetic-Concerns and Personal Distress

Authors:

Abstract: This research explores the impact of witnessing rudeness on prosocial behavior towards a 3rd party, an underexplored domain. We posit that observing rudeness influences prosociality towards individuals associated with the target of rudeness, even if uninvolved in the incident. Witnessed rudeness elicits empathetic concerns, enhancing prosociality toward the target, yet concurrently evokes distress, potentially inhibiting prosociality. Three lab studies using coffee shop scenarios reveal that prosocial tendencies extend beyond the direct target of rudeness, affecting the witness's behavior towards a 3rd party. Findings suggest potential interventions in service organizations to manage the spillover effect of witnessed rudeness.

Track: DEC

Keywords: Rudeness, Spillover prosociality, Empathy, Distress