People are less likely to selfishly deceive those who achieved status through virtue rather than dominance or competence

Moral behaviour varies across contexts, yet the influence of the recipient's social status - the person towards whom the behaviour is directed - remains largely underexplored. The strategies used to achieve status can vary substantially and play a crucial role in shaping social perception and behaviour. For instance, dominance-based status triggers negative evaluations, whereas people who attain status through competence or virtue often gain respect and admiration. This preregistered study (n = 151) investigated how an opponent's social status (high, middle or low) and the strategies used to achieve it (dominance, competence or virtue) influenced participants' tendency to lie for self-gain during a card game. Results indicate that participants were significantly less likely to lie for self-gain to virtuous high-status opponents compared to dominant or competent ones. Dominance-based high-status opponents elicited negative emotions (e.g. anger, disgust), while virtuous and competent opponents inspired admiration and respect. These findings highlight that moral behaviour is shaped by both the status of the recipient and the means by which it was acquired, with honesty more likely directed towards virtuous high-status individuals. This research has implications for education and leadership, suggesting that strategies involving virtuous and prosocial behaviours can protect leaders from being deceived by their followership.