To Help or Not to Help? Personal Value for Diversity Moderates the Relationship Between Discrimination Against Minorities and Citizenship Behavior Toward Minorities

Abstract

Using the scope of justice perspective (Deutsch in J Soc Issues 31(3): 137-149, 1975; Opotow in Conflict, cooperation, and justice: essays inspired by the work of Morton Deutsch, 1995, J Soc Issues 52: 19-24, 1996), we examined whether and how the relationship between perceived discrimination against minorities at work (i.e., racial minorities and females) and citizenship behavior toward minorities can be modified by personal value for diversity. Based on a survey of 173 employees, unexpectedly, we found a negative relationship between perceived discrimination against minorities at work and citizenship behavior toward minorities. However, consistent with our expectations and the scope of justice, we found that the negative relationship was attenuated for those high in personal value for diversity.