A Spillover Effect of Altruistic Cheating: When Benefitting Others Goes Wrong

Abstract

We identify a novel moral licensing mechanism: a spillover effect whereby seemingly altruistic acts increase subsequent self-serving dishonesty. Study 1 established this spillover effect, showing that initial altruistic cheating sustains later egoistic cheating at a higher level compared to when both acts are self-serving. Study 2 demonstrated that this effect is unidirectional. While the effect of altruistic cheating was replicated, initial egoistic cheating did not reduce later altruistic cheating. Study 3 found initial support for a moral credentials account over desensitization as the underlying mechanism. Study 4 confirmed this by showing that retroactively removing the altruistic justification eliminated the effect. The asymmetry of the spillover effect uncovers a more troubling aspect of moral licensing that undermines ethical boundaries and sustains dishonesty rather than simply enabling moral balance. Our findings expand current models of moral licensing by introducing a justification-based process that perpetuates unethical behavior. This helps explain how well-intentioned misconduct can escalate in individual and organizational contexts.