Spot on for liars! How public scrutiny influences ethical behavior

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 12; no. 7; p. e0181682
• Main Authors: Ostermaier, Andreas, Uhl, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 17.07.2017; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Behavior; Biology and Life Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences; Deception; Decision making; Encyclopedias; Ethical standards; Ethics; Experiments; Female; Honesty; Human behavior; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Laboratories; Male; Medical ethics; Norms; Open access publishing; Psychological Tests; Psychology; Research and Analysis Methods; Social aspects; Social Behavior; Social Sciences; Theory; Thinking; Young Adult; Germany

We examine whether people are more honest in public than in private. In a laboratory experiment, we have subjects roll dice and report outcomes either in public or in private. Higher reports yield more money and lies cannot be detected. We also elicit subjects' ethical mindsets and their expect...