Is there a link between intelligence and lying?

Michalis Drouvelis and Graeme Pearce

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2023, vol. 206, issue C, 182-203

Abstract: In this paper we study the link between intelligence and lying. This is done under two distinct experimental paradigms: the die rolling paradigm, and the mind game paradigm. We compare the behaviour of subjects conditional on their intelligence in each of these paradigms when lying benefits the subject who lies (Selfish treatment) or a charitable cause (Charity treatment). We report some evidence that lying increases when it benefits a charitable cause, and limited evidence that more intelligent individuals increase lying when doing so benefits a charity. Our results are consistent with models of self–image concerns, and could have important implications for the existing lying literature.

Keywords: Intelligence levels; Die roll paradigm; Honesty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C90 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:206:y:2023:i:c:p:182-203

DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2022.12.008

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