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Nicole Ruedy
Doctoral Student

My research uses experimental methods to examine ethical decision making. I am currently focused on various causes of unethical behavior, in particular relationship context, rationalization, and positive affect. My research proposes that ethical violations can result from misunderstandings about the relationship context such as when a manager evaluates a family member for a job and is unsure whether to help their relative or to evaluate the candidate impartially. I examine these ideas empirically by studying techniques people use to rationalize wrongdoing and construe their actions or intentions as morally acceptable. I am also investigating the relationship between unethical behavior and positive affect, such as when students cheat on an exam for the thrill of getting away with it. In laboratory studies, I find evidence that participants feel greater positive affect after cheating on a task, and no evidence of greater negative emotion, such as guilt or anxiety. In addition to unethical behavior, I also study trust, social comparison, mindfulness, and emotions.

Current Research

Jennifer Dunn, Nicole Ruedy, Maurice Schweitzer, It Hurts Both Ways: How Social Comparisons Harm Affective and Cognitive Trust

Nicole Ruedy, Maurice Schweitzer, Cheaters Never Win? Affective Consequences of Unethical Behavior

Nicole Ruedy, Maurice Schweitzer, Predictably Unethical: Relational Models and Unethical Decision Making

Teaching

Interests
Negotiations; Organizational Behavior; Managerial Decision Making

Instructor
Managerial Decision Making (Fall 2008, upcoming: Fall 2009)
Course Evaluations: 3.18/4.00 (instructor), 3.48/4.00 (course)

Teaching Assistant
Negotiations - Undergraduate (Spring 2008); MBA (Spring 2006, Fall 2006); Executive MBA (Fall 2007)
Managerial Decision Making - Undergraduate (Fall 2005); MBA (Spring 2007)

Honors And Awards

Center for Teaching and Learning Fellowship
Nominated by department chair and selected by the Center for Teaching and Learning for competitive fellowship to recognize dedication to pedagogy and teaching excellence., 2009-2010

Duckworth Fellowship
Awarded annually to one female PhD student at Wharton to recognize outstanding scholarship and research achievements. Won in years 2006-2007, 2007-2008

OPIM Scholar Award
Departmental award for the most outstanding progress towards the completion of the dissertation, 2007

Nicole Ruedy
3730 Walnut Street
526.2 Jon M. Huntsman Hall
Philadelphia, PA19104
Phone: (215) 898-4945
nruedy@wharton.upenn.edu

Research Interests: Ethical Decision Making, Emotions, Affect and Decision Making, Trust, Social Comparison

Last Modified November 11, 2009