Crossing the Line: A Dual Threshold Model of Expressing Anger in Organizations

Abstract

This paper proposes a Dual Threshold Model of anger expression in organizations in which the expression threshold is crossed when an organizational member chooses to verbally express, rather than silence anger at work, and the impropriety threshold is crossed when organizational members express anger in ways deemed inappropriate by organizational or social norms. This paper proposes when neither or both thresholds are crossed, the probability of more negative outcomes increases; however, when the expression threshold is crossed, but the impropriety threshold is not, the probability increases that more positive outcomes will occur. The model also builds on the theory of bounded emotionality (Martin, Knopoff, & Beckman, 1998; Mumby & Putnam, 1992; Putnam & Mumby, 1993) to suggest that it would be beneficial for individuals to alter behavior and organizations to alter norms to expand the space between these two thresholds and increase the probability of positive outcomes from anger expressions.

Keywords: Emotion, Anger, Organizations

JEL Classification: D74