Do you watch pornography at work? You may end up behaving unethically, says study

Viewing pornography in office is linked with a number of negative organizational outcomes including unethical behaviour, finds new report.

ANI | Published: June 26, 2019 11:27 am

Tags: bad effect of pornography Porn Pornography Sexual abuse Unethical behaviour

Viewing pornography at works causes dehumanisation, scientists believe. © Shutterstock

Viewing pornography at work is linked with a number of negative organizational outcomes — like fraud and collusion of employees, according to a new study.

The study was published in the Journal of Business Ethics. Melissa Lewis-Western, co-author of the study said, “Pornography is often framed as an issue affecting only individuals and relationships outside of a business context.”

“But businesses are made up of people, and people make decisions, and businesses function off the decisions people make. If you have a societal phenomenon that a lot of people are participating in and it negatively impacts individuals’ decisions, that has the potential to impact organizational-level outcomes,” she said.

Researchers conducted the study with 200 participants and a nationally-representative survey of 1,000 other individuals. In the experiment, one group was tasked with recalling their last experience of watching pornography. The researchers chose not to expose participants directly to pornography due to ethical concerns and concerns of selection and demand effects.

Meanwhile, members of the control group were asked to recall their most recent experience exercising. Both groups were then employed to watch the entirety of a boring 10-minute video consisting of a blue background with a monotone voice speaking with subtitles.

The experiment concluded with 21 per cent of those who had recalled their last experience viewing porn did not finish viewing the video but lied about it. Only 8 per cent of those in the control group did not finish the video and lied about it.

This represented a statistically significant 163 per cent increase in shirking work and lying for those who view pornography. Similar evidence was obtained from the survey. The experiment also found that the rise in unethical behaviour is caused by an increased propensity to dehumanize others; pornography consumption increases the viewer’s propensity to view others as objects or less than human.

Researchers believe porn consumption causes dehumanization, the incidence of sexual harassment or hostile work environments is likely to increase with increases in employee pornography consumption.

The study suggests that the companies should take stern steps to reduce pornography consumption at the office which includes:

Preventative controls such as internet filters and blocking devices Policies that prohibit porn consumption at work, with penalties and hiring employees who are less likely to view pornography than others.

“Almost everyone cares about the #MeToo movement and women, but if you care about that, then you have to care about this issue too,” Lewis-Western said. “If your manager is regularly watching pornography at work, then our research suggests that the way you are treated is going to be different in negative ways.

Published: June 26, 2019 11:27 am

Disclaimer: TheHealthSite.com does not guarantee any specific results as a result of the procedures mentioned here and the results may vary from person to person. The topics in these pages including text, graphics, videos and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only and not to be substituted for professional medical advice.

Test reveals high levels of poison in table salt

Test reveals high levels of poison in table salt

Cardiovascular diseases: Your heart doesn't react well to alienation from nature

Cardiovascular diseases: Your heart doesn't react well to alienation from nature

About The health Site

TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. We focus on fitness, beauty, health, pregnancy and more.

Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards.

health@corp.india.com

+91 – 22 – 6697 1234

91 – 22 – 2490 0302.

ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD, 18th floor, A-Wing, Marathon Futurex, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013.

We respect your privacy

Copyright © 2019 Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved.