Happy but Deviant: How Does Positive Affect Disrupt Social Sustainability?

Despite extensive research on the role of negative affect (NA) in causing interpersonal deviance, positive (PA) remains unclear. Responding to call for more nuanced effects PA, this study explores neglected facet agentic rather than communal aspect, predicting deviance. Drawing upon regulatory focus theory and social labeling theory, we explore how PA predicts We further propose that relationship will be mediated by risk-taking moderated task interdependence. Multi-source field data provide support hypothesis is positively related which risk-taking. In addition, significant only condition high interdependence activates aspect PA. This concludes beneficial are not universal, at work may have unintended consequences, such as Implications discussed.