The Detrimental Effects of Oxytocin-Induced Conformity on Dishonesty in Competition

Aydogan, Gokhan; Jobst, Andrea; D'Ardenne, Kimberlee; Müller, Norbert and Kocher, Martin G. (2017): The Detrimental Effects of Oxytocin-Induced Conformity on Dishonesty in Competition. In: Psychological Science, Vol. 28, No. 6: pp. 751-759

Abstract

Justifications may promote unethical behavior because they constitute a convenient loophole through which people can gain from immoral behavior and preserve a positive self-image at the same time. A justification that is widely used is rooted in conformity: Unethical choices become more permissible because one's peers are expected to make the same unethical choices. In the current study, we tested whether an exogenous alteration of conformity led to a lower inclination to adhere to a widely accepted norm (i.e., honesty) under the pressure of competition. We took advantage of the well-known effects of intranasally applied oxytocin on affiliation, in-group conformity, and in-group favoritism in humans. We found that conformity was enhanced by oxytocin, and this enhancement had a detrimental effect on honesty in a competitive environment but not in a noncompetitive environment. Our findings contribute to recent evidence showing that competition may lead to unethical behavior and erode moral values.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Economics; Medicine
• Subjects: 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics; 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0956-7976
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English