Is this the real reason why people cheat in relationships?
‘Unethical amnesia’ is making good people do bad things...
‘Unethical amnesia’ is making good people do bad things...
Ever wondered how someone could do a bad thing, such as cheat on a partner, and then move on from the event without carrying any guilt?
Well apparently it’s all down to our memories conveniently forgetting the details of our indiscretions, although not the actions entirely. However, we have no problem with remembering the mistakes of others. Ah, nice.
Research in the US led by Maryam Kouchak of Northwestern University and Francesca Gina of Harvard, conducted a series of nine experiments with a diverse sample of more than 2,100 participants.
The activities involved games and writing down memories of good and bad behaviours.
This is how long your relationship will last
Half of participants admitted they’d cheated in the games, but when questioned about it two weeks later, only 43 percent of participants could remember the details of their cheating. Although they could clearly remember the other activities that didn’t involve them misbehaving.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Researchers discovered that while people can clearly recall ethical behaviours, good deeds and positive memories in general, the details of unethical activities can be harder to recall or simply forgotten completely.
The absence of these memories has been labelled ‘unethical amnesia’, and scientists believe this explains why some people continually make bad decisions, and how this amnesia helps them to maintain a positive self-image and distance themselves from their bad behaviours.
There are four types of relationship, which one are you?
The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and researchers wrote: ‘After they behave unethically, individuals’ memories of their actions become more obfuscated over time because of the psychological distress and discomfort caused by such misdeeds.
‘This unethical amnesia and the alleviation of such dissonance over time are followed by more dishonesty subsequently in the future.’
This basically means that people who have a good moral code and aren’t typically ‘bad’ can repeat wrong behaviours, such as cheating.
‘These results are particularly important because unethical amnesia can explain why ordinary, good people repeatedly engage in unethical behaviour and also how they distance themselves from such behaviour over time,’ the authors write.
However, we don't know how forgiving we would be if someone cited 'unethical amnesia' as the reason for their bad behaviour.
The leading destination for fashion, beauty, shopping and finger-on-the-pulse views on the latest issues. Marie Claire's travel content helps you delight in discovering new destinations around the globe, offering a unique – and sometimes unchartered – travel experience. From new hotel openings to the destinations tipped to take over our travel calendars, this iconic name has it covered.
-
Taylor and Travis' sweet Christmas plans are going viral
Under the mistletoe, watching the fire glow...
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
There's an exciting update on 'Wednesday' season 2
We can't wait!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Chanel took over Hangzhou’s mythical West Lake for its latest show
Here's what you should know
By Rebecca Jane Hill