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In a recent Forbes.com article, Travis Bradberry listed and explained 13 powerful psychological forces that make us do bad things.  This list can help us become more self-aware and it may also help us better understand the people around us.  Those with whom we live, work and play. 

• First, the winner-take-all competition— something our society encourages, but it can also lead to cheating and unethical behavior.  
• Social bond theory says treat employees well and they’ll be loyal.  Not treating them well can lead to backlash, such as ethical violations.
• The blinding effect of power. People with hierarchical power sometimes see themselves as different from people with less power. This can result in a double standard when it comes to ethical boundaries.  
• The Reactance theory says that if one thinks imposed rules are too strict, the person may break the rules and go against protocol.

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