Display Settings:

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination
    J Appl Psychol. 2011 Mar;96(2):350-62.

    Service without a smile: comparing the consequences of neutral and positive display rules.

    Source

    Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M1C 1A5, Canada. trougakos@utsc.utoronto.ca

    Abstract

    We used an experimental design to examine the intrapersonal and interpersonal processes through which neutral display rules, compared to positive display rules, influence objective task performance of poll workers and ratings provided by survey respondents of the poll workers. Student participants (N = 140) were trained to adhere to 1 of the 2 display rule conditions while delivering opinion surveys to potential patrons of an organization during a 40-min period. Results showed that, compared to positive display rules, neutral display rules resulted in less task persistence and greater avoidance behavior. These effects were mediated through a greater use of expression suppression. In addition, neutral display rules resulted in less positive respondent mood, which accounted for lower ratings of service quality and of overall favorability attitudes toward the sponsoring organization. The importance and ubiquity of neutral display rules are discussed, given the potential for positive and negative consequences at work.

    PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved.

    PMID:
    21171731
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

      Supplemental Content

      Click here to read

      Recent activity

      Your browsing activity is empty.

      Activity recording is turned off.

      Turn recording back on

      See more...
      Write to the Help Desk