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Show no quarter: combating plausible lies with ex-ante honesty oaths

Author

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  • J. Jobu Babin

    (Behavioral Economics and Organization Research Group (BEORG)
    Western Illinois University)

  • Haritima S. Chauhan

    (Behavioral Economics and Organization Research Group (BEORG)
    Western Illinois University)

Abstract

Misreporting—a form of lying—is common in online labor and remote work settings. We execute an experiment on Amazon MTurk to determine how ex-ante honesty oaths and worker beliefs impact lying behavior across a range of plausible and implausible lies. Using a novel quantile-style exposition of the types of lies reported, we find that oaths elicit more truthful behavior, reducing both small, plausible lies and large, implausible ones. Shirking is reduced under oath. Worker expectations of group reporting are positively related to individual reporting of plausible lies.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Jobu Babin & Haritima S. Chauhan, 2023. "Show no quarter: combating plausible lies with ex-ante honesty oaths," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 9(1), pages 66-76, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jesaex:v:9:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s40881-022-00124-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s40881-022-00124-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sorravich Kingsuwankul & Chloe Tergiman & Marie Claire Villeval, 2023. "Why do oaths work? Image concerns and credibility in promise keeping," Working Papers hal-04209489, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Oaths; Self-reporting; Lying; Beliefs; Plausible lies; Experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D90 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - General
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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