Blaming Goes Viral
Have you ever noticed how when one person in a group passes the blame for a problem, others tend to do the same? If so, you’re not alone; scientists who study behavior in social settings have found ditching responsibility isn’t typically a one-person game (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34940422/ns/health-behavior). It seems that blaming others for failure is, like the common cold, “catchy.”
Why does this happen? Being blamed produces negative feelings, and a scapegoat naturally wants flee the unwanted attention. Because someone else has already pointed a finger, it is easy to think of the act of passing the blame as somewhat legitimized. Therefore, following the blamer’s lead represents a quick fix to an uncomfortable situation.
Unfortunately, blame produces a lasting negative effect on mood and, in situations where blame is frequently employed, it also negatively affects people’s ability to learn or work.
These consequences are bad news for employers, who now more than ever need efficient employees. According to the investigators, businesses that want to battle this problem should start at the top, with leaders who model the kind of behavior they want to see in employees. Just as blame can “trickle down,” so does the act of taking responsibility.
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