Keywords

rationalization, dishonesty, taxes, social pressure

Abstract

A recent BusinessWeek article (28 July 2008: 17) reported some interesting data regarding the percent of people who say they cheat on their taxes. When a smiling devil cartoon character asked them, “How Bad are U?” over 50 percent of the survey respondents admitted to cheating on their taxes. However, only 25 percent said they cheated when the questions were asked on a website containing an official insignia with privacy assurances.

Original Publication Citation

D.J. Cherrington, "Rationalizing Dishonesty", Hayes Report on Loss Prevention Volume 24, Issue 1, Pages 2, 6-7, Hayes International, Fruitland Park, Florida, 1, 29.