New study claims rising early could make you less honest

New US study claims those who go to bed late and wake up early become less honest as the day goes on and are likely to cheat in the evening.

Researcher Sunita Sah, of Georgetown University, said: ‘They cast doubt on the stereotype that evening people are somehow dissolute.’

The researchers from John Hopkins, Washington and Georgetown universitys put 200 students through tests and games designed to measure their honesty. They also asked them questions to work out whether they were a lark or an owl.

Questions included how alert they felt on waking up, what time of day they felt at their best and when they feel like going to bed.

Morning types were more likely to cheat and inflate their scores in the evening – likely because they were low in the mental energy needed to resist temptation.

Dr Sah said the findings have major implications for workplaces and particularly those where employees work shifts.

Previous research has shown that those who pride themselves in being honest are most likely to lapse when tried.

In contrast, those who lie with ease practice less self-control to begin with and so are less affected by sleepiness.