Integrity is the practice of being honest and demonstrating consistent and unwavering adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty, truthfulness, and accuracy of one’s actions. Integrity can be contrasted with hypocrisy, as judging with the standards of integrity involves valuing internal consistency as a virtue. It suggests that individuals who hold apparently conflicting values within themselves should either address the discrepancy or adjust their beliefs. The term “integrity” evolved from the Latin adjective “integer,” which means whole or complete. In this context, integrity refers to the inner sense of “wholeness” that arises from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character.
In ethics, an individual is said to possess the virtue of integrity if their actions are based on an internally consistent framework of principles. These principles should consistently adhere to sound logical axioms or postulates. A person can be described as having ethical integrity to the extent that their actions, beliefs, methods, measures, and principles all stem from a single core set of values. Flexibility and a willingness to adjust these values to maintain consistency when challenged are essential. For instance, if an expected test result does not align with observed outcomes, individuals must be willing to adjust their values. This flexibility is considered a form of accountability and is viewed as both a moral responsibility and a virtue.
Procedures known as “integrity tests” or, more directly, “honesty tests,” aim to identify potential employees who may conceal perceived negative or derogatory aspects of their past, such as a criminal conviction or drug abuse. Identifying unsuitable candidates can prevent issues that might arise during their employment. Integrity tests operate based on certain assumptions, including:
1. Individuals with “low integrity” are more likely to report dishonest behavior.
2. Individuals with “low integrity” tend to rationalize such behavior.
3. Individuals with “low integrity” believe that others are more likely to commit crimes, such as theft.
4. Individuals with “low integrity” exhibit impulsive behavior.
5. Individuals with “low integrity” believe that society should impose severe punishments for deviant behavior.
The claim that these tests can uncover “fake” answers is crucial in identifying individuals with low integrity. Some respondents believe this premise and respond accordingly by disclosing their past deviance and their opinions about others’ deviant behavior. They fear that not answering truthfully will reveal their “low integrity.” These respondents believe that the more candid they are in their answers, the higher their “integrity score” will be.
