January 2008 PMID 18181791

The value of believing in free will: encouraging a belief in determinism increases cheating.

Kathleen D Vohs, Jonathan W Schooler

Mentions

73
Peak: 2 in Mar 2021
across 5 sources since Mar 2021

Extended reach

102,329
potential audience

Total likes

3,184

Video views

76,697

Mentions per month

Mar 2021 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Blogs32 articles
  • News20 articles
  • X / Twitter13 posts
  • Facebook6 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discussions reflect strong interest with phrases like 'moral behavior' and ' societal implications,' and many posts cite the research directly, showing an intention to understand and evaluate its significance. The tone varies from supportive to critical, but the frequent references to the study and related concepts demonstrate thoughtful engagement and recognition of the article's influence.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of free will in moral behavior, with many supporting the idea that believing in free will encourages ethical conduct.

InterestHigh interest

The topic of free will versus determinism engages people highly, as evidenced by numerous posts exploring moral and societal implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts delve into philosophical and scientific debates, referencing studies and authors, which indicates moderate to deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Given the emphasis on ethics and societal behavior, the discussions suggest a moderate impact on moral perspectives and understanding.

Abstract in brief

  • The studies found that when people are led to believe that human behavior is predetermined by genetics and environment, they tend to cheat more, especially in scenarios where they can passively benefit from a flawed system.
  • The increased cheating was linked to a reduced belief in free will, indicating that believing in free will may help promote moral behavior.
  • Overall, the research suggests that beliefs about free will and determinism have important societal implications, influencing how people behave ethically.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
See me on LinkedIn - I've quit X (Phillip Dawson)
@phillipdawson · X

I read 'Free Will' by Sam Harris. Great book, though if you buy into the argument that free will is an illusion and we should tell people about it, there are consequences for cheating! He cites this paper: https://t.co/dqCYeCZPaj

Jul 18, 2021 · 3 likes · 7,081 followers View post →
Gamze Çifci
@dr_zamanfirsat · X

(The value of believing in free will: Encouraging a belief in determinism increases cheating. Vohs, K. D., & Schooler, J. W. 2008)

Jun 5, 2025 · 3 likes · 1,137 followers View post →
木島泰三:翻訳『道徳的責任廃絶論』『ロボットの反逆』(旧題『心は遺伝子の論理で決まるのか』)
@KijimaTaizo · X

@kemohure コメントありがとうございます。ちなみにウォーラーが怒っていたのは(例えば吉川氏のサル本でも紹介されていた)Vohs & Schoolerの論文です。 https://t.co/9JB25YUAsn 「自由意志を信じたからよくなった」というより「決定論を信じたから悪くなった」というあたりがウォーラーの逆鱗に触れたのかと。

Mar 5, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,827 followers View post →
David Leiser دافيد דויד
@Professologue · X

@GrangerYves C’est un concept essentiel pour le fonctionnement en société et la croyance au libre arbitre augmente le comportement moral de l’individu . Pour autant il n’est pas certain que ce concept est cohérent ou compatible avec la science. https://t.co/cRETd0qrP3

Sep 19, 2022 · 1 like · 1,272 followers View post →
Megiddo
@Tel_Megiddo_ · X

Belief in free will and logically, responsibility to do good - leads people to do it https://t.co/bx9rbWeMTr https://t.co/Zg7R5VAsox https://t.co/JXZYJdNLvy

Oct 7, 2025 · 1 like · 194 followers View post →
Megiddo
@Tel_Megiddo_ · X

@RevReads289 "The debate over free will has societal, as well as scientific and theoretical, implications... Does moral behavior draw on a belief in free will? Our findings suggest that it does." https://t.co/Zg7R5VAsox

Oct 6, 2025 · 1 like · 194 followers View post →

All mentions

Alexander Moreira-Almeida
@alexnupes · X

Vohs KD, Schooler JW. The value of believing in free will: encouraging a belief in determinism increases cheating. Psychol Sci. 2008 Jan;19(1):49-54. https://t.co/UixCsJFvW9 #livrearbitrio #psicologia #neurociencia #comportamento #eticapessoal #reflexao #saudemental #pesquisa

Nov 22, 2025 · 70 followers View post →
Megiddo
@Tel_Megiddo_ · X

Belief in free will and logically, responsibility to do good - leads people to do it https://t.co/bx9rbWeMTr https://t.co/Zg7R5VAsox https://t.co/JXZYJdNLvy

Oct 7, 2025 · 1 like · 194 followers View post →
Megiddo
@Tel_Megiddo_ · X

@RevReads289 "The debate over free will has societal, as well as scientific and theoretical, implications... Does moral behavior draw on a belief in free will? Our findings suggest that it does." https://t.co/Zg7R5VAsox

Oct 6, 2025 · 1 like · 194 followers View post →
Gamze Çifci
@dr_zamanfirsat · X

(The value of believing in free will: Encouraging a belief in determinism increases cheating. Vohs, K. D., & Schooler, J. W. 2008)

Jun 5, 2025 · 3 likes · 1,137 followers View post →
Victoria Valentine
@Veeayvee1 · X

@tomwelcomeclark @WiringTheBrain Yes, belief in determinism has lots of bad effects https://t.co/D7aiNG6Pin https://t.co/hoU0B9mQhn https://t.co/DFv5wA3zJw.

Jul 30, 2024 · 289 followers View post →
Eucyclos
@Eucyclos1 · X

@ScottAdamsSays I'mma just leave this here: The Value of Believing in Free Will: Encouraging a Belief in Determinism Increases Cheating - Kathleen D. Vohs, Jonathan W. Schooler, 2008 https://t.co/tEtz6jjDiU

Jun 22, 2024 · 1 like · 102 followers View post →
Ryan
@antiAbrahamism · X

@TomTheFormless @KastelDavid @RyLiberty https://t.co/paiAPAMKAB https://t.co/zqQsBZR1wt https://t.co/VS5vFruCqM https://t.co/s3xVKqr2wQ https://t.co/iiQYzePI9E https://t.co/yFopCcU5g5 https://t.co/DD0uRtAePq

Jun 27, 2023 · 124 followers View post →
David Leiser دافيد דויד
@Professologue · X

@GrangerYves C’est un concept essentiel pour le fonctionnement en société et la croyance au libre arbitre augmente le comportement moral de l’individu . Pour autant il n’est pas certain que ce concept est cohérent ou compatible avec la science. https://t.co/cRETd0qrP3

Sep 19, 2022 · 1 like · 1,272 followers View post →
ダダ
@Verax_jp · X

The value of believing in free will: encouraging a belief in determinism increases cheating https://t.co/A3Id6NhJvZ

Oct 3, 2021 · 11 followers View post →
Elgin Belvedere
@alvarado_elgin · X

....this is just something that's been irritating the shit out of me and I wanted to scream about it so I hastily wrote an un-proofread thread here as catharsis so that I don't scream aloud instead. Scares the dogs, ya know. Source on Free Will: https://t.co/j0fXnLy2tT

Aug 12, 2021 · 84 followers View post →
See me on LinkedIn - I've quit X (Phillip Dawson)
@phillipdawson · X

I read 'Free Will' by Sam Harris. Great book, though if you buy into the argument that free will is an illusion and we should tell people about it, there are consequences for cheating! He cites this paper: https://t.co/dqCYeCZPaj

Jul 18, 2021 · 3 likes · 7,081 followers View post →
kemofure
@kemohure · X

RT @KijimaTaizo: @kemohure コメントありがとうございます。ちなみにウォーラーが怒っていたのは(例えば吉川氏のサル本でも紹介されていた)Vohs & Schoolerの論文です。 https://t.co/9JB25YUAsn 「自由意志を信じたからよく…

Mar 5, 2021 · 1 share · 13,244 followers View post →
木島泰三:翻訳『道徳的責任廃絶論』『ロボットの反逆』(旧題『心は遺伝子の論理で決まるのか』)
@KijimaTaizo · X

@kemohure コメントありがとうございます。ちなみにウォーラーが怒っていたのは(例えば吉川氏のサル本でも紹介されていた)Vohs & Schoolerの論文です。 https://t.co/9JB25YUAsn 「自由意志を信じたからよくなった」というより「決定論を信じたから悪くなった」というあたりがウォーラーの逆鱗に触れたのかと。

Mar 5, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,827 followers View post →