Is there a link between intelligence and lying?

Michalis Drouvelis*, Graeme Pearce

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)182-203
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Economic Behavior & Organization
Volume206
Early online date20 Dec 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Keywords

  • Intelligence levels
  • Die roll paradigm
  • Honesty

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