Thinking, Fast and Slow · chapter 4 · id thinking-fast-and-slow-c4-03-recalling-unethical-behavior-m

“Recalling unethical behavior makes people more likely to choose cleansing products (the 'Lady Macbeth Effect') -- moral concepts are physically embodied.”

needs contextconfidence: high✓ ZHP-verified + red-teamed

Receipts

Zhong & Liljenquist (2006), Science 313(5792)DOI registry: valid

Participants who recalled unethical behavior were more likely to choose an antiseptic wipe over a pencil. Hand-washing after recalling unethical acts reduced subsequent prosocial behavior. N~40-60.

Earp, Everett, Madva & Hamlin (2014), Basic and Applied Social Psychology 36(1)DOI registry: valid

Three direct replications across multiple labs failed to find the Lady Macbeth effect. Moral recall did not increase preference for cleansing products.

This claim is a stable, citable object. If you can falsify a verdict, tell us — corrections are loud here.