The Slippery Slope to Habitual Unethical Behavior and How to Prevent It

Ethical Systems collaborator Francesca Gino has a piece in the Harvard Business Review on how unethical behavior becomes habit.  It turns out that people are much more likely to engage in unethical behavior when it occurs bit by bit, slowly over time, rather than in one large, decisive unethical decision.  However, as Gino writes, “Our research similarly indicates that ethical nudges can help people avoid the types of indiscretions that might start them down the slippery slope.” 

Click here for the full article on HBR and here for more research and some ideas to apply on how to reduce cheating and increase honesty.