This debate is now closed.
Are we all natural born cheaters?
It is only human to cheat the system, according to experiments testing how far people are willing to cheat. How far would you go?
When Dan Ariely, a behavioural economist at Duke University, North Carolina, paid people per question solved in a maths test, he found the average number of problems people claimed to have solved increased when no proof was needed.
News that a New Zealand couple have disappeared and possibly left the country after a banking blunder deposited NZ$10m (£3.9m, US$6m) in their account would seem to support Professor Ariely’s theory.
Speaking to Evan Davis on Radio 4’s Today programme about the MPs’ expenses row, Professor Ariely said “I think you gave them a test to see if they were human, and we discovered that they are human.”
What do you think of Dan Ariely’s findings? What is and isn’t acceptable? Would you pass Dr Ariely's test?
Read Evan Davis' blog and listen to the full interview with Dan Ariely
New Zealand hunts accidental millionaires
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Published:
Thursday, 21 May, 2009, 10:42 GMT
11:42 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 12:31 GMT
13:31 UK
",,,,If you have a conscience and it's working, it doesn't let you get away with even a pie! Makes me a fool I guess by today's standards."
Meg, London
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It makes you a decent person Meg. Unfortunately decency is not a virtue that is rewarded by any society on earth. Pity...the world would be a better place for it.
Bruno, London
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 12:12 GMT
13:12 UK
I found a wallet which had identification, credit cards, and £300 pounds in it. I handed it in to the police and the owner got it back. I would expect no less from anyone else, but then I have a home and job and 'standards'. It is easy to judge from a position of advantage, but harsh circumstances can dictate morality. Greed for greed's sake is deplorable, but what would I have done if I had been out of work and broke? .
Sylvia, Devizes
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 12:09 GMT
13:09 UK
If one is in an environment where you have to do it in order to survive then you do it, and such an environment can be caused by the presence of influential cheaters. A particularly influential cheater or cheaters can make life difficult for a lot of other people - also attempts at a 'rules of behaviour system' can make life easier or harder for the 'natural born cheater'. Just because we have certain instincts doesn't mean we always have to follow them and it doesn't make them 'correct'.
f(x)=moan, London
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 11:47 GMT
12:47 UK
Humans are born as natural Cheaters,even a one percent is not an exception. Many cheaters as 99% are harmless cheaters only cheating on their personnel needs. There are very few in the history who refused any cheating even at risk of life. Dan Ariel's theory is some what acceptable and if a convict in a fraud or theft is encountered with a request just to tell the truth and guaranteed no follow up action,the real truth will come out in 80 % of the accused.
Sinna Sundar., Toronto,Canada.
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 11:40 GMT
12:40 UK
A survival instinct is one think, but as human beings, we also have choice and conscience. If nobody stole, cheated, commited fraud in this country, there would be a better, wealthier more harmonious society. In my job, I have had over 37 years the opportunity to steal, probably undetected, many tens of thousands of pounds, I am happy to say that in my life I have never taken one penny from anybody that was not honestly due to me and when my head hits the pillow, I sleep the sleep of the just.
[kevinanthony], feltham, United Kingdom
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 11:27 GMT
12:27 UK
What exactly is the question? Maybe a lot of humans will cheat, given the chance; that doesn't mean that the greedy, self-serving, dishonest MPs should be excused the consequences of their abuse of the system. It is human to do a lot of things, including murder. That's why we have laws, to encourage us to contain our baser natures. As for the 10m, that didn't come from the accounts of the execs - it came from other investors.
Patti Kleeb, Burlington
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 11:24 GMT
12:24 UK
"NZ story is not surprising..what would you do....give it back and hope for a ten dollar thanks..." - Dave Perry, Pembroke
"Why on Earth would you expect $10 for NOT taking somebody elses money?" - [Ed-NE-US]
Let's phrase that better, how about "Why on earth would you expect $10 for giving back a large fortune dropped into your bank account?"
they didn't take the money, they were given it. The implications are very different!!
[BostinJack]
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 11:05 GMT
12:05 UK
We all love our Bargains,BOGOFF's and free stuffs.
Where is the line between survival and cheating?
We are humans prone to cheat only When,How and who?
MP's have answered that Question.
George, Crewe
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 11:04 GMT
12:04 UK
Almost all people become honest only if their basic needs are met according to Maslow's Hierarchy of needs and Max-Neef's fundamental human needs.
Sherwin Lo, Georgia, United States
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 10:47 GMT
11:47 UK
They say it's best to be honest, especially with the Job Centre & benefits.
I was honest enough to say I did 2 days paid work 2 years ago and notified them. Then I find out that they wouldn't pay me 4 weeks! (yes 4 weeks) JSA allowance because I declared it and threatened me by taking me to court if I didn't pay back £75!
It doesn't pay to be honest nowadays, especially when your local MP charges us £3,000 for a new boiler because 'his water is too hot'.
Michael, South Wales
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 10:45 GMT
11:45 UK
We all are natural born both cheaters and saints, the only thing that matters is how much we reflect those characters in our action, thoughts and behaviour.
Kul Chandra Timalsina, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 10:28 GMT
11:28 UK
If such instincts are natural, we can dampen it by making people economically comfortable. This is why I cherish the socialist philosophy that, 'from each according to his abilities, and to each according to his needs'.
When the elites impoverish the people like it happens in 3rd world countries, this instinct becomes more pronounced and active unfortunately!
Ashipa James Olashupo, Abuja
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 10:27 GMT
11:27 UK
I believe that you are entitled to keep any interest earned if money is mistakenly deposited in your account. I would be happy with interest on £3.9 million and there would be no worries about having to hide or face prison.
William, Nottingham
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 10:24 GMT
11:24 UK
Being thuggish, arrogant, self-centred and greedy can help you get ahead. If this were normal behaviour fine.. from a young age we could all learn the necessary skills like boxing, shooting, burglary, safe-cracking, hacking, granny-bashing and syphoning lesser bank employees pensions. But who would do operations, drive busses or plough the fields. But we need one rule for all. Why be muggins bus driver living in a rabbit hutch when you could deal coke or steal pensions and live in a palace.
jjs, dundee
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Added:
Saturday, 23 May, 2009, 10:05 GMT
11:05 UK
I totally disagree with the fact that humans are the natural cheaters because if we go back to history it revels something else and talking about current situation it is a situation created by humans where one wants to be greatfull on themselves cheating others and we can not blame nature for this....... because not all humans are same................
Bilash Koirala, Bharatpur, Nepal
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Published comments: 848
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