> The experiments, in which hundreds of people participated in word games and other activities online, suggest that splitting the benefits makes cheating seem l

> The experiments, in which hundreds of people participated in word games and other activities online, suggest that splitting the benefits makes cheating seem less unethical, Wiltermuth says. Eek. I don't think we can necessarily conclude that or anything like that. The ethical-ness (or not) doesn't even have to enter people's minds for these numbers to happen. Other possibilities: What if perhaps people just like helping people in a stackoverflow-esque way? Maybe someone won't cheat if its just them, but if they can make someone else happier/feel better, then they will? What if they enjoy the sense of camaraderie? Working together while cheating at some game is still working together. They don't have to be thinking about ethics in the least when choosing to cheat more (or less). People simply like helping, interacting, and working with other people, pretty much regardless of context. I doubt cheating more at a word game when another person is involved is anything more than this.