TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - The detrimental effects of oxytocin-induced conformity on dishonesty in competition
JO  - Psychological science
A1  - Aydogan, Gökhan
A1  - Jobst, Andrea
A1  - D'Ardenne, Kimberlee
A1  - Müller, Norbert
A1  - Kocher, Martin G.
SP  - 751
EP  - 759
VL  - 28
IS  - 6
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0956-7976
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956797617695100
ID  - ref1
ER  -