@article{ref1,
title="The detrimental effects of oxytocin-induced conformity on dishonesty in competition",
journal="Psychological science",
year="2017",
author="Aydogan, Gökhan and Jobst, Andrea and D'Ardenne, Kimberlee and Müller, Norbert and Kocher, Martin G.",
volume="28",
number="6",
pages="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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0956-7976",
doi="10.1177/0956797617695100",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956797617695100"
}