A German study finds that a group of people are more likely to engage in dishonest behavior than individuals especially when money is involved. Prominent examples include the bankruptcies of WorldCon and Enron and the alleged issuance of faulty emissions certificates by German car manufacturer Volkswagen.

Even the most honest and well-behaved individual can lie when engaged with a group of people with the goal of deceiving someone for financial gain. Because in group discussion, there is an exchange of ideas and ways of justifying their dishonest behavior which can hugely influence the group's belief of what constitutes moral behavior. Thus, this unscrupulous action can become a norm even it is a moral violation.

Because of this study, I started doubting if my friends' flattering compliments are mere lies and ways of trying to manipulate me to do their favors and afterward leave me alone when I did what they asked for. Poor me. Haha