Clean Smells Promote Ethical Behavior

A recent study is suggesting that moral behavior may be encouraged with nothing more than clean smells. The Brigham Young University professor found a "dramatic improvement in ethical behavior with just a few spritzes of citrus-scented Windex." "The researchers see implications for workplaces, retail stores and other organizations that have relied on traditional surveillance and security measures to enforce rules. Perhaps the findings could be applied at home, too, Liljenquist said with a smile. 'Could be that getting our kids to clean up their rooms might help them clean up their acts, too.' The study titled "The Smell of Virtue" was unusually simple and conclusive. Participants engaged in several tasks, the only difference being that some worked in unscented rooms, while others worked in rooms freshly spritzed with Windex."

Comments

Re:But...

[Whiteox]

It depends on which of the ethical schools you're subscribing to.

You forgot Moses. Can't place my hands on the source, but it has something to do with not stealing.

Re:But...

[operagost]

We certainly do. Now we have governments who enslave, rape, and kill those who dissent.