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How Does Dishonesty Spread? Gender Matters!

Author

Listed:
  • Kim L. Böhm
  • Sebastian J. Goerg
  • Lilia Wasserka-Zhurakhovska

Abstract

Using an online experiment with two distinct dishonesty games, we analyze how dishonesty in men and women is influenced by either thinking or learning about the dishonesty of others in a related but different situation. Thinking is induced by eliciting a belief about others’ dishonesty in a different game. Such belief elicitation increases males’ (but not females’) dishonesty. Learning is induced by receiving a signal about the actual honest or dishonest choices of others in a different game. We find that females’ (but not males’) dishonesty increases with the level of dishonesty provided in such a signal. We conclude that gender matters when examining how unethical behavior spreads. Both genders update their beliefs about others’ dishonesty in the same way when presented with information about others’ choices. Still, dishonesty in men is triggered by merely thinking about others’ dishonesty, while women only respond to actual information on others’ dishonesty.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim L. Böhm & Sebastian J. Goerg & Lilia Wasserka-Zhurakhovska, 2023. "How Does Dishonesty Spread? Gender Matters!," CESifo Working Paper Series 10314, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_10314
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    dishonesty; unethical behaviour; beliefs; signals; gender; experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C90 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - General
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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