In 2020, the UK government told its citizens not to meet in groups of more than two. 

Despite this rule, the UK government were caught holding lockdown-breaking parties, which involved the Prime Minister. 

This ultimately led to Boris Johnson’s resignation in July 2022, but why? 

Why did this specific scandal make voters so angry? 

Today, with the Chief Behavioural Scientist at the Behavioural Insights Team, Michael Hallsworth, we uncover the psychology behind hypocrisy. 

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Today’s sources: 

Alicke, M., Gordon, E., & Rose, D. (2013). Hypocrisy: What counts? Philosophical Psychology, 26(5), 673–701.

Laurent, S. M., & Clark, B. A. (2019). What makes hypocrisy? Folk definitions, attitude/behavior combinations, attitude strength, and private/public distinctions. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 41(2), 104–121.

Powell, C. A. J., & Smith, R. H. (2012). Schadenfreude caused by the exposure of hypocrisy in others. Self and Identity, 12(4), 413–431.

Wagner, T., Lutz, R. J., & Weitz, B. A. (2009). Corporate hypocrisy: Overcoming the threat of inconsistent corporate social responsibility perceptions. Journal of Marketing, 73(6), 77–91.