Reflections on social psychologist who fabricated data

A well-known Dutch social psychologist has admitted to fabricating some of the data in his research. On Sep. 7, Tilburg University announced that the scientist, Diederik Stapel, who heads the Tilburg Institute for Behavioral Economics Research, will not be returning to his job. SPSP has accepted Stapel’s resignation from the Society. In her Connections blog, social psychologist Jenny Crocker, past president of SPSP, reflects on what drives people — from Stapel to Bernie Madoff — to commit fraud. "Cases of fraud are more understandable when we think about how they begin and escalate, not how they end,” she writes. "Each minor transgression, whether dropping an inconvenient data point or failing to give credit where it is due, creates a threat to self-image,” Crocker explains. "To avoid the discomfort, people rationalize and justify until their behavior feels comfortable and right, making the next transgression seem not only easier, but perhaps even morally right.”

Several sessions at the SPSP annual meeting in San Diego, Jan. 26-28, will explore topics related to corruption and immorality.