Why Going Green Can Make You a Jerk

Doesn't everyone have one of those friends who acts holier-than-thou because she drives a Prius, exclusively shops at Whole Foods, and uses sodium lauryl sulfate-free shampoo, even on her dog?

There's a reason for that, and it's called The Green Halo Effect. A new study from University of Toronto (being published in upcoming issue of Psychological Science) showed that when people bought $25 worth of eco-friendly products, they were more likely to cheat, lie, and steal than people who spent $25 on non-eco products. Basically, the researchers trace that to The Green Halo Effect, meaning that when people do something objectively good by buying eco-friendly stuff, they think they've earned moral credit-and have the right to transgress in other areas.

What about you-are you guilty of this kind of behavior?

Photo Credit: Condé Nast Digital Studio

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