Disclosure and identification information increase the benefits of stealing thunder

Vaughan-Johnston, Thomas I., Guyer, Joshua J., Lawrence, Katie L. and Fabrigar, Leandre R. 2024. Disclosure and identification information increase the benefits of stealing thunder. Social Influence 20 (1) , 2447273. 10.1080/15534510.2024.2447273

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Abstract

Research shows that preemptively confessing a transgression (stealing thunder) enhances trustworthiness, credibility, or expertise compared to third-party revelations. Recent findings suggest that detailed disclosure about the transgression is key to this effect, yet people often hesitate to share comprehensive details before all facts are known. We propose that sharing information about the confession itself can improve reputation without divulging more about the transgression. Across one main and five supplementary experiments, an integrative data analysis revealed that messages elaborating on why the confession was made (disclosure information) or how the transgressor realized the wrongdoing (identification information) enhanced trustworthiness and credibility, but not expertise, for targets like doctors and politicians. These benefits occurred even without reparative actions.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	1553-4510
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	3 January 2025
Date of Acceptance:	20 December 2024
Last Modified:	21 Jan 2025 10:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/174975

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