Are people really willing to suspend their sense of right and wrong when it comes to their own family, even if it means breaking the law?

A University of Michigan study found that when a family member behaves very badly, other family members are often inclined to protect them and this familial protection becomes even more intense when a family member is guilty of a severe event, such as theft, blackmail and groping.

In a paper published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, the study authors claimed they were surprised that people become more protective of a loved one as the severity of the crime increased. A majority of the people interviewed predicted they would protect those close to them even in the face of very serious moral transgressions. This foible of human nature was seen regardless of gender, political orientation, morals or personal disgust by the offence.

The study collated answers from 2,800 people in ten separate studies. Participants were asked how they would react when someone close to them committed theft or sexual harassment. They were also asked about how they would react if they were asked by a police officer if they had any information about an immoral act they had witnessed.

The results showed that people would hide the truth and even lie about a criminal offence to protect their family. However, the same standards were not applied to strangers. In the case of strangers, participants wanted the perpetrator to be punished and said they would consider informing the authorities and even exile them socially.

Most people justify these decisions by claiming they would punish the wrongdoing themselves, rather than leaving the punishment to the courts. This way, people feel they are still able to maintain their self-image as a morally upstanding individual, and at the same time, preserve the close relationship.

It seems that loyalty is a powerful motivator that under certain circumstances can override the virtue of honesty.