Washing Hands to Remove Moral Taint

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Lady Macbeth desperately attempted to wash away a spot of blood after the murder of Duncan. Scientists at Northwestern University have put the “Macbeth effect” to the test and found that, unconsciously at least, people can wash away their sins. Volunteers described an ethical or unethical action they had undertaken in their lives. Then they saw six word fragments, three of which—W_ _ H, for example—could be completed in a cleansing way (WASH) or an unrelated way (WISH). Those who recollected an unethical deed were more likely to produce a cleansing word; moreover, they often chose an antiseptic wipe over a pencil when given the choice. A need to be clean might drive behavior, too. Among those who recalled dirty deeds but were not allowed to wash up, 74 percent later offered to help in another project, versus only 41 percent of those who had cleaned up, according to the September 8 Science.

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American