Dishonesty plays a large role in the economy. Causes for (dis)honest behavior seem to be based partially on external rewards, and partially on internal rewards. Here, we investigate how such external and internal rewards work in concert to produce (dis)honesty. We propose and test a theory of self-concept maintenance that allows people to engage to some level in dishonest behavior, thereby benefiting from external benefits of dishonesty, while maintaining their positive view about themselves in terms of being honest individuals. The results show that (1) given the opportunity to engage in beneficial dishonesty, people will engage in such behaviors; (2) the amount of dishonesty is largely insensitive to either the expected external benefits or the costs associated with the deceptive acts; (3) people know about their actions but do not update their self-concepts; (4) causing people to become more aware of their internal standards for honesty decreases their tendency for deception; and (5) increasing the "degrees of freedom" that people have to interpret their actions increases their tendency for deception. We suggest that dishonesty governed by self-concept maintenance is likely to be prevalent in the economy, and understanding it has important implications for designing effective methods to curb dishonesty.

Keywords: Honesty, Self concept, Cost - Benefit


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There's a fine line between honesty and sarcasm, but I like to think that I'm an honest man.

 

 

 

 

I ALWAYS tell the truth...........sometimes.

 

I was raised under the guideline of, "You're only as good as your word." Meaning if you give your word on something then go back on it, then you're not worth much and neither is your word.

My mother made sure we all knew that there was nothing in this world we wanted bad enough to steal. And that she would not put up with us doing that.

Since I have cousins who are nothing less then ex-cons and my mother's heart just bleeds for them, I guess I was better off doing exactly what I wanted..... WHEN I wanted and how I wanted.

I do think honesty is one thing that's kept me at my job. There's been more then one occassion upper management has wanted to fire me, just cause they didn't like me. I feel my record at UPS speaks for itself. Even security does not question me about missing items anymore. They may ask me if I have any idea who stole whatever, but they've told me they do not question my honesty.

 

There's 2 kinds of people that puts me over the edge: liars and thiefs.