What is the effect of perceiving fair organizational procedures on misconduct, according to Wolfe and Piquero?

• A. Increased likelihood of misconduct
• B. No effect on misconduct
• C. Increased likelihood of complaints
• D. Less likely to engage in misconduct

Answer: (D)

Perceiving fair organizational procedures builds procedural justice, which makes people feel respected and believe rules are applied consistently. When procedures are fair, individuals see the system as legitimate and feel a social obligation to comply with rules, reducing the internal pressure to bend or break them. Wolfe and Piquero argue that this sense of fairness dampens the impulse to engage in misconduct because outcomes feel legitimate and punishments or sanctions are viewed as legitimate, not arbitrary. In short, fairness in processes makes misconduct less likely as people internalize norms and trust the system to treat them justly.

The other possibilities don’t fit as well. Fair procedures don’t generally increase misconduct; they foster compliance. While fair procedures can influence how people raise concerns or complain, the key behavioral impact emphasized is the reduction in rule-breaking behavior.