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Does Winning Lead to Cheating? A New Study Reveals What Motivates People To Cheat

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A paper published in 2016 by Israeli researchers suggested that victors of skill-based competitions are more likely to steal money in subsequent games of chance against new opponents than losers or persons who do not consider themselves as winners or losers.

This much-discussed study with relatively small sample sizes put out the theory that winning in a competitive environment fosters a sense of entitlement that promotes cheating.

But as of today (Wednesday), a new and extended study conducted by scientists at the University of Leicester (UK) and the University of Southern California (USA) contradicts the earlier findings.

Regardless of whether they had previously won or lost, the international team of researchers discovered that people with a strong sense of fairness cheat less.

They looked at the actions of 259 participants in a lab-based dice-rolling game, which was the same as the original study, and 275 people in an extra online trial, which used a simple coin-tossing game. The outcomes were then examined using both conventional statistics and a mathematical procedure known as structural equation modeling.

Just as in the initial trial, researchers discovered that a tiny but considerable degree of cheating took place for the monetary awards on offer. However, neither winning nor losing increased subsequent cheating or people’s sense of entitlement.

Instead, the only factor evaluated that might account for the tiny (but significant) level of cheating was low ‘inequality aversion.’

People who are averse to inequality dislike unequal outcomes. People who have a strong sense of justice are often intolerant of inequity and refrain from cheating because they see it as a form of unfairness.

In addition to serving as the study’s principal author, Andrew Colman is a professor of psychology at the University of Leicester’s Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Behaviour.

In view of academic dishonesty in the digital age, according to Prof. Colman, issues with tax avoidance and evasion by wealthy people in developed nations, and more generally impacts of growing inequality in wealth and income on corruption and crime, cheating and general dishonesty are of growing concern.

“We were surprised by the findings in the 2016 study, and that’s why we wanted to replicate it with substantial sample sizes. The original study’s small samples do not have the statistical power to generate firm conclusions.

“We were amazed when it turned out,” Prof. Colman added, “that neither winning nor losing had any effect on cheating although a significant amount of cheating occurred. We have at least provided scientifically sound data that give a clear answer to the question.”

Image Credit: Getty

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