An experimental evaluation of obedience and veracity

Abstract

Obedience and veracity was investigated as function of three experimental conditions: External Regulation (RE), Reciprocal Regulation (RR) and Autonomous Regulation (RA) in three groups of four subjects each one. Each group received a different sequence of the three experimental conditions, in a simple choice task presented in a computer as a cock fight. Results showed a high level of correspondenc between imposed instructions and performance (obedience) and between performance and verbal reports (veracity). Contrary to expectations, it was observed low variability between subjects in the condition of Autonomous Regulation. No order and sequence effects were observed in sampled variations. Results are discussed in terms of an interbehavioral theory of moral behavior