The sweet smell of virtue

New research indicates that when exposed to some pleasant smells individuals make more ethical choices – at least in the concocted experimental settings involving trivial moral dilemmas that are typically studies by psychologists. The authors speculate that scents can be used to encourage more altruistic behavior. Let’s assume that they have a chance to try this treatment on a large scale. On the other hand, the individuals they want to influence will continue to receive multiple reinforcements of the lesson that, at least in real life, ruthlessness mostly pays. Which influence is likely to be stronger? Let me guess…