When and why does status threat at work bring out the best and the worst in us? A temporal social comparison theory

This paper seeks to explain when and why people respond status threat at work with behaviors oriented toward either self-improvement or interpersonal harming. To that end, we extend the established static social comparison perspective on threat. Specifically, introduce notion of temporal proximity threat, which is informed by five markers. We argue construe distal future gaps as a challenge (and thus show self-improvement-oriented responses), but more proximal gap engage in negative behaviors). Further, three factors uncertainty may render underlying less reliable, thereby useful for guiding one's response. Overall, our theory integrates extends current theorizing organizations fully acknowledging dynamic nature comparisons. Plain Language Summary Employees often compare themselves others evaluate their status. If they perceive risk losing status, prevent loss. These can be positive, aimed improving position negative, harming others. develops theoretical framework examine employees challenge- vs. threat-oriented behaviors. an important question how react its proximity—will employee's threatened near versus future? propose (vs. proximate) is, gravitate towards But do know occurs will past trajectories co-workers’ mentally extrapolate such More specifically, characteristics (temporal markers) inform about proximity: relative position, velocity acceleration trajectory, mean level, minimum maximum Moreover, suggest employees’ conclusions from these markers are weakened “data stream” information over time, length time span available, amount interruptions this data stream, number fluctuations own others’ trajectories.