0001-8791/$ - see front matter  2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2005.10.005 Journal of Vocational Behavior 68 (2006) 446–460 www.elsevier.com/locate/jvb The dimensionality of counterproductivity: Are all counterproductive behaviors created equal? Paul E. Spector a,¤ , Suzy Fox b , Lisa M. Penney c , Kari Bruursema a , Angeline Goh a , Stacey Kessler a a University of South Florida, USA b Loyola University Chicago, USA c University of Houston, USA Received 21 July 2005 Available online 6 December 2005 Abstract Most studies of counterproductive work behavior (CWB) assess it as one or two overall dimen- sions that might obscure relationships of potential antecedents with more speciWc forms of behavior. A Wner-grained analysis of the relationship between counterproductive work behavior and anteced- ents was conducted with the Wve-subscales (abuse toward others, production deviance, sabotage, theft, and withdrawal) taken from the 45-item Counterproductive Work Behavior Checklist, a mea- sure that has been used in a number of prior studies. Described is the rationale for each of the Wve dimensions, which have been discussed individually in the literature. Data from three combined stud- ies provide evidence for diVerential relationships with potential antecedents that suggest the use of more speciWc subscales to assess CWB. Most notably, abuse and sabotage were most strongly related to anger and stress, theft was unrelated to emotion, and withdrawal was associated with boredom and being upset. Finally, the distinct forms of CWB may suggest distinct underlying dynamics, that vary in their balance of hostile and instrumental motivational systems.  2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Counterproductive work behavior; Aggression; Sabotage; Theft; Withdrawal; Job satisfaction; Emotion * Corresponding author. Fax: +1 813 974 4617. E-mail address: spector@shell.cas.usf.edu (P.E. Spector).