Morality with Loopholes: The Psychology of Dishonesty and Its Social Consequences

Abstract:

Unethical behaviors such as dishonesty are widespread – from everyday white lies to large-scale rule violations. Still, most people consider themselves to be moral individuals, often even more moral than others. How can this be? In this talk, I explore how people manage to uphold a positive moral self-image while engaging in dishonest behavior. A central mechanism in this regard is the ability to generate justifications that make dishonesty seem acceptable, or even necessary. I will focus in particular on social justifications – cases in which lying is seen as benefiting not only oneself but also others – and how such contexts shape moral decision-making. In addition, I will touch on research showing that people are surprisingly reluctant to change their moral tendencies over time – likely because they already feel morally adequate. Finally, I will consider broader societal implications of dishonest behavior, including its potential role in fostering mistrust, which may in turn spark populist attitudes and conspiracy beliefs.