In the context of social psychology, the mum effect results when employees in an organization:

• A. are more likely to praise their coworkers than criticize them
• B. avoid communicating negative information to others, especially superiors
• C. prefer to work in isolation rather than in groups
• D. frequently share both positive and negative feedback openly

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of the 'mum effect' in social psychology, which refers to the tendency to withhold negative information or feedback, especially in hierarchical or organizational contexts.
2. Step 2: Recognize that the mum effect specifically involves avoiding communication of negative information to others, particularly to those in positions of authority or superiors.
3. Step 3: Compare the given options to the definition: praising coworkers is positive feedback, working in isolation is unrelated, and sharing both positive and negative feedback openly contradicts the mum effect.
4. Step 4: Identify that the option stating 'avoid communicating negative information to others, especially superiors' aligns directly with the mum effect's definition.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the mum effect describes the behavior of withholding negative information rather than openly sharing it, especially in organizational settings.