Research on crime and delinquents is generally studying norm-violating behavior outside of its social context. Building on Hartshorne and May's use of situational tests, the authors sought to study the major contributing variables to norm-violating behavior in a laboratory setting. Two groups of subjects were used: (1) 116 male college students; and (2) 119 male maximum security military prisoners. Five situational paper and pencil tests were administered, as well as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) scale four and an inquiry sheet. Two major variables were manipulated: (1) risk of being caught; and (2) pay incentive. Deceptive behavior was assessed by the improbable achievement method. Results showed 10.3% of the students cheated, in comparison to 16.8% of the prisoners. Some variables were more signficant than others. Further discussion centered on the implications of this kind of research and on natural setting laboratory-type investigations. (TL)