Selective (dis)honesty: Choosing overly positive feedback only when the truth hurts

StatusVoR
Dublin Core metadata
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Authors
Cantarero, Katarzyna
Białek, Michał
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2025-11-23
Publisher
Journal title
British Journal of Social Psychology
Issue
1
Volume
65
Pages
Pages
1-15
DOI
ISSN
0144-6665
ISSN of series
Weblink
https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjso.70020?af=R
Access date
2025-11-23
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
In two studies (N = 886), we examined how individualsjudge and select feedback providers for those who eitherhandle criticism well or poorly after performing a low-quality task. Prosocial liars who provided overly positivefeedback, were judged as more moral than honest feedbackproviders. However, despite this, honest feedback providerswere preferred for both oneself and others. Interestingly,when choosing a feedback provider for a vulnerablerecipient versus a generic other, participants preferred aprosocial liar in the former case. Similarly, a ‘sensitive’feedback provider, defined as someone who tells the truthto individuals who handle criticism well but offers overlypositive feedback to those who struggle, was also favouredwhen the recipient was vulnerable compared with when therecipient was unspecified. Notably, the sensitive providerwas not judged as less moral than the honest one, suggestingthat inconsistent (dis)honesty is tolerated when it alignswith social needs. These findings indicate that individualsstrategically adjust preferences for honesty versus lyingbased on social cues.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
character judgement
feedback
moral judgement
prosocial dishonesty
Keywords other
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 4. Quality Education
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https://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2073
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cc-by
Except as otherwise noted, this item is licensed under the Attribution licence | Permitted use of copyrighted works
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Poza dylematem wagonika. Wyznaczniki i konsekwencje powszechnego dylematu moralnego między prawdą a kłamstwem
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