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Does the die-under-the-cup device exaggerate cheating?

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  • Alfonso-Costillo, Antonio
  • Brañas-Garza, Pablo
  • López-Martín, Ma Carmen

Abstract

Using a powered online experiment (774 subjects, 54% female, av. age = 24.27) under the die-under-the-cup paradigm, this paper shows that a minimal variation (reversing payoffs) increases participants’ honesty. Dice numbers and monetary prizes are aligned in the control treatment (1→5€, 2→10€, …, 6→30€), while numbers and monetary prizes go in opposite directions in the reversed treatment (1→30€, 2→25€, …, 6→5€). Although this small variation has no theoretical consequences, it results in more honest behavior. Since the participants in the control and the treatment are identical, we conclude that the observed dishonesty is caused by the task. The effect is stronger for women and older participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfonso-Costillo, Antonio & Brañas-Garza, Pablo & López-Martín, Ma Carmen, 2022. "Does the die-under-the-cup device exaggerate cheating?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:214:y:2022:i:c:s0165176522000854
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110424
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Loessl, Victor von & Bühren, Christoph & Frank, Björn & Wetzel, Heike & Wiederhold, Elina, 2024. "Would you lie about your mother's birthday? A new online dishonesty experiment," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
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