Experiment with Cheating

Here is a fascinating video presentation from TED.com about the factors that this researcher found involved in why people cheat. It has some very obvious implications for children and even communities in general.




A few take-aways:
1) The "fudge factor" is the room we give ourselves to lie/cheat/steal based on the cost-benefit analysis we perform in each opportunity. To reduce an individual's fudge factor, it was effective to remind them of their morality, whether referencing the Ten Commandments or signing an honor code statement. How much more significant is this for us as we teach our children and remind one another of God's standard for our lives.
2) The further an item is removed from actual value (a token for a vending machine or bus pass, or a pencil from work vs. a check or actual cash) the more likely people are to steal/cheat/lie about it. The lesson would be to always remind ourselves of the value of what we are responsible for (i.e. an honest day's work for an honest wage, office supplies that I did not pay for, etc).
3) The norm within my "in group" will effect my willingness or inhibition to steal/lie/cheat. It is true that if we think "everybody's doing it" we will be more likely to do it also. Peer pressure is only pressure if you see the others as peers. The lesson is to find friends that value what you value. The second lesson is to reaffirm what you value in your community often. I have seen this, and appreciate it when I have, churches have existing members recite their covenant together out loud with new members, or congregations recite a creed or faith statement in conjunction with taking communion, etc. This is very powerful.