Why is trait scepticism not consistently reflected in state scepticism? An exploratory study into the role of aesthetic engagement

Where an auditor's sceptical disposition (trait scepticism) is directed toward non‐diagnostic information, there is a risk that a sceptical consideration of diagnostic information could be diluted. This may be one reason why trait scepticism is not consistently reflected in sceptical judgments...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Accounting and finance (Parkville) 2020-12, Vol.60 (4), p.3743-3774
Main Authors: Khan, Mohammad Jahanzeb, Harding, Noel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aesthetic engagement
Audit engagements
Audit judgment
Auditors
Skepticism
State scepticism
Trait scepticism
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Summary:Where an auditor's sceptical disposition (trait scepticism) is directed toward non‐diagnostic information, there is a risk that a sceptical consideration of diagnostic information could be diluted. This may be one reason why trait scepticism is not consistently reflected in sceptical judgments and actions (state scepticism). We develop a scale to measure an individual's predisposition toward engaging with visual elements of the environment (aesthetic engagement) and test, in two experiments employing students and practicing auditors, whether aesthetic engagement moderates the trait – state scepticism relationship. We find that aesthetic engagement attenuates the positive relationship between trait and state scepticism.
ISSN:0810-5391
1467-629X
DOI:10.1111/acfi.12522