Lying to Religious Disaffiliates in the Ultimatum Game: Effects of Religiousness and Gender

Abstract

The present study examined the differences between secular and ultra- Orthodox Jewish men and women in telling lies to disaffiliates or religious target persons. The task was based on the Ultimatum Game, in which participants are required to share 100 points with a target person. The participant’s goal was to retain as many points as possible; to this end, they could lie and tell the target person that fewer than 100 points were available for distribution, expecting the target person to accept their offer. The study found that during the task, secular Jews lied more than their ultra- Orthodox counterparts. The difference was especially palpable when the target figures were themselves ultra-Orthodox. No difference was observed when the target person was a disaffiliate. The findings were explained by a religious barrier that discourages the use of lies. Surprisingly, secular and ultra-Orthodox participants reflected similar attitudes towards disaffiliates: namely, the ultra-Orthodox did not make the task easier for disaffiliates, while secular participants did not accept them as part of their internal group. Finally, results were discussed in relation to secular anger at ultra-Orthodox society, which was perceived as having failed to assist in eradicating the COVID-19 pandemic.