The Effect of Behavioral Codes and Gender on Honesty

Yuval Arbel (), Ronen Bar-El (), Erez Siniver () and Yossef (Yossi) Tobol ()
Additional contact information
Yuval Arbel: School of Business, Carmel Academic Center
Ronen Bar-El: Open University of Israel
Erez Siniver: College of Management, Rishon Lezion Campus

No 7946, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

Abstract: We examine the effect of adherence to behavioral codes, as measured by the degree of religiosity, on the level of honesty by conducting under-the-cup die experiments. The findings suggest that behavioral codes, which prohibit lying, offset the monetary incentive to lie. The highest level of honesty is found among young religious females while the lowest is found among secular females. Moreover, when the monetary incentive to lie is removed, the tendency of secular subjects to lie disappears. Given the strict separation between the secular and religious education systems the research findings confirm the importance of education in instilling ethical values.

Keywords: ethical values; religion; behavioral codes; honesty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 D63 Z12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 47 pages
Date: 2014-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-exp and nep-hpe
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - published as 'Roll a Die and Tell a Lie: What Affects Honesty?' in: Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, 2014, 107, 153-172

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