Showing papers on "Morality published in 2013"

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion

Abstract: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion Jonathan Haidt Pantheon Books, 2012One has likely heard that, for the sake of decorum, religion and politics should never be topics of conversation with strangers. Even amongst friends or even when it is known that others hold opposing political or religious views, why is it that discussion of religion and politics leads to visceral-level acrimony and that one's views are right and the other's views are wrong? Professor Jonathan Haidt of the University of Virginia examines the psychological basis of our "righteous minds" without resorting to any of the pejorative labeling that is usually found in a book on politics and religion and eschews a purely comparative approach. Haidt proposes the intriguing hypothesis that our visceral reaction to competing ideologies is a subconscious, rather than leaned, reaction that evolved over human evolution to innate senses of suffering, fairness, cheating and disease, and that moral foundations facilitated intra-group cooperation which in turn conferred survival advantages over other groups. These psychological mechanisms are genetic in origin and not necessarily amenable to rational and voluntary control - this is in part the reason debating one's ideological opposite more often leads to frustration rather than understanding. Haidt also suggests that morality is based on six "psychological systems" or foundations (Moral Foundations Theory), similar to the hypothesized adaptive mental modules which evolved to solve specific problems of survival in the human ancestral environment.While decorum pleads for more civility, it would be better, as Haidt suggests, dragging the issue of partisan politics out into the open in order to understand it and work around our righteous minds. Haidt suggests a few methods by which the level of rhetoric in American politics can be reduced, such that the political parties can at least be cordial as they have been in the past and work together to solve truly pressing social problems.There are a number of fascinating points raised in the current book, but most intriguing is the one that morality, ideology and religion are products of group selection, as adaptations that increased individual cooperation and suppressed selfishness, thereby increasing individual loyalty to the group. That morality, political ideology and religion buttress group survival is probably highly intuitive. However, given the contemporary focus on the individual as the source of adaptations, to the exclusion of all else, to suggest that adaptations such as religion and political ideology arose to enhance survival of groups is heresy or, as Haidt recounts, "foolishness". While previous rejection of group selection itself was due in part to conceptual issues, one could also point out the prevailing individualist social sentiment, "selfish gene" mentality and unrelenting hostility against those who supported the view that group selection did indeed apply to humans and not just to insects. Haidt gives a lengthy and convincing defense of group selection, his main point being that humans can pursue self- interest at the same time they promote self-interest within a group setting - humans are "90 percent chimp, 10 percent bees". One can readily observe in the news and entertainment mediate that religion is a frequent target of derision, even within the scientific community - Haidt points to the strident contempt that the "New Atheists" hold for religion. They claim that religion is purely a by-product of an adaptive psychological trait and as a mere by-product religion serves no useful purpose. However, the religious "sense" has somehow managed to persist in the human psyche. One explanation by the New Atheists of how religion propagated itself is that it is a "parasite" or "virus" which latches onto a susceptible host and induces the host to "infect" others. As a "virus" or "parasite" that is merely interested in its own survival, religion causes people to perform behaviors that do not increase their own reproductive fitness and may even be detrimental to survival, but religion spreads nonetheless. …

Caring : a relational approach to ethics & moral education

Abstract: ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PREFACE TO THE 2013 EDITION PREFACE TO THE 2003 EDITION INTRODUCTION 1. WHY CARE ABOUT CARING? The fundamental nature of caring What does it mean to care? Problems arising in the analysis of one-caring The cared-for Aesthetical caring Caring and acting Ethics and caring 2. THE ONE-CARING Receiving Thinking and feeling: turning points Guilt and courage Women and caring Circles and chains Asymmetry and reciprocity in caring The ethical ideal and the ethical self Rules and conflicts 3. THE CARED-FOR The one-caring's attitude and its effects Apprehension of caring necessary to the caring relationship unequal meetings Reciprocity The ethics of being cared for 4. AN ETHIC OF CARING From natural to ethical caring Obligation Right and wrong The problem of justification Women and morality: virtue The toughness of caring 5. CONSTRUCTION OF THE IDEAL The nature of the ideal Constraints and attainability Diminished ethical capacity Nurturing the ideal Maintaining the ideal 6. ENHANCING THE IDEAL: JOY Our basic reality and affect How should we describe emotion? Perception and emotion: the object of emotion and its appraisal Emotions as reasons Joy as exalted Receptivity and joy in intellectual work Joy as basic affect 7. CARING FOR ANIMALS, PLANTS, THINGS AND IDEAS Our relation with animals Our relation to plants Things and ideas Summary 8. MORAL EDUCATION What is moral education? The one-caring as teacher Dialogue Practice Confirmation Organizing schools for caring AFTERWORD NOTES SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX

Moral Foundations Theory: The Pragmatic Validity of Moral Pluralism

Abstract: Where does morality come from? Why are moral judgments often so similar across cultures, yet sometimes so variable? Is morality one thing, or many? Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) was created to answer these questions. In this chapter, we describe the origins, assumptions, and current conceptualization of the theory and detail the empirical findings that MFT has made possible, both within social psychology and beyond. Looking toward the future, we embrace several critiques of the theory and specify five criteria for determining what should be considered a foundation of human morality. Finally, we suggest a variety of future directions for MFT and moral psychology.

The Moral Roots of Environmental Attitudes

Abstract: Americans' attitudes about the environment are highly polarized, but it is unclear why this is the case. We conducted five studies to examine this issue. Studies 1a and 1b demonstrated that liberals, but not conservatives, view the environment in moral terms and that this tendency partially explains the relation between political ideology and environmental attitudes. Content analyses of newspaper op-eds (Study 2a) and public-service announcements (Study 2b) found that contemporary environmental discourse is based largely on moral concerns related to harm and care, which are more deeply held by liberals than by conservatives. However, we found that reframing proenvironmental rhetoric in terms of purity, a moral value resonating primarily among conservatives, largely eliminated the difference between liberals' and conservatives' environmental attitudes (Study 3). These results establish the importance of moralization as a cause of polarization on environmental attitudes and suggest that reframing environmental discourse in different moral terms can reduce the gap between liberals and conservatives in environmental concern.

Situating the Self: Gender, Community and Postmodernism in Contemporary Ethics

Abstract: Acknowledgements. Induction. Part I. Modernity, Morality and Ethical:. 1. In the Shadow of Aristotle and Hegel. 2. Autonomy, Modernity and Community. 3. Models of Public Space. 4. Judgements and the Moral Foundations of Politics in Hannah Arendta s Thought. Part II. Autonomy, Feminism and Postmodernism:. 5. The Generalized and the Concrete Other. 6. The Debate over Women and Moral Theory Revisited. 7. Feminism and the Question of Postmodernism. 8. On Hegel, Women and Irony. Index.

Origins of Human Cooperation and Morality

Abstract: From an evolutionary perspective, morality is a form of cooperation Cooperation requires individuals either to suppress their own selfinterest or to equate it with that of others We review recent research on the origins of human morality, both phylogenetic (research with apes) and ontogenetic (research with children) For both time frames we propose a two-step sequence: first a second-personal morality in which individuals are sympathetic or fair to particular others, and second an agent-neutral morality in which individuals follow and enforce group-wide social norms Human morality arose evolutionarily as a set of skills and motives for cooperating with others, and the ontogeny of these skills and motives unfolds in part naturally and in part as a result of sociocultural contexts and interactions

Handbook of Moral Development

Abstract: Contents: Preface. Part I: Introduction. Part II: Structuralism and Moral Development Stages. E. Turiel, Thought, Emotions, and Social Interactional Processes in Moral Development. D.K. Lapsley, Moral Stage Theory. S.J. Thoma, Research on the Defining Issues Test. L.J. Walker, Gender and Morality. Part III: Social Domain Theory and Social Justice. J.G. Smetana, Social-Cognitive Domain Theory: Consistencies and Variations in Children's Moral and Social Judgments. M. Killen, N.G. Margie, S. Sinno, Morality in the Context of Intergroup Relationships. C. Helwig, Rights, Civil Liberties, and Democracy Across Cultures. C. Wainryb, Moral Development in Culture: Diversity, Tolerance, and Justice. Part IV: Conscience and Internalization. J.E. Grusec, The Development of Moral Behavior and Conscience From a Socialization Perspective. R.A. Thompson, S. Meyer, M. McGinley, Understanding Values in Relationships: The Development of Conscience. L. Kuczynski, G.S. Navara, Sources of Innovation and Change in Socialization, Internalization, and Acculturation. Part V: Social Interactional, Sociocultural, and Comparative Approaches. J. Dunn, Moral Development in Early Childhood and Social Interaction in the Family. M.B. Tappan, Mediated Moralities: Sociocultural Approaches to Moral Development. J.G. Miller, Insights Into Moral Development From Cultural Psychology. D.P. Fry, Reciprocity: The Foundation Stone of Morality. P. Verbeek, Everyone's Monkey: Primate Moral Roots. P.H. Kahn, Jr., Nature and Moral Development. Part VI: Empathy, Emotions, and Aggression. P.D. Hastings, C. Zahn-Waxler, K. McShane, We Are, by Nature, Moral Creatures: Biological Bases of Concern for Others. N. Eisenberg, T. Spinrad, A. Sadovsky, Empathy-Related Responding in Children. G. Carlo, Care-Based and Altruistically Based Morality. W.F. Arsenio, J. Gold, E. Adams, Children's Conceptions and Displays of Moral Emotions. M.S. Tisak, J. Tisak, S.E. Goldstein, Aggression, Delinquency, and Morality: A Social-Cognitive Perspective. Part VII: Moral Education, Character Development, and Community Service. D. Hart, R. Atkins, T.M. Donnelly, Community Service and Moral Development. L. Nucci, Education for Moral Development. M.W. Berkowitz, S. Sherblom, M. Bier, V. Battistich, Educating for Positive Youth Development. D. Narvaez, Integrative Ethical Education.

Deontological and utilitarian inclinations in moral decision making: a process dissociation approach

Abstract: Dual-process theories of moral judgment suggest that responses to moral dilemmas are guided by two moral principles: the principle of deontology states that the morality of an action depends on the intrinsic nature of the action (e.g., harming others is wrong regardless of its consequences); the principle of utilitarianism implies that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences (e.g., harming others is acceptable if it increases the well-being of a greater number of people). Despite the proposed independence of the moral inclinations reflecting these principles, previous work has relied on operationalizations in which stronger inclinations of one kind imply weaker inclinations of the other kind. The current research applied Jacoby's (1991) process dissociation procedure to independently quantify the strength of deontological and utilitarian inclinations within individuals. Study 1 confirmed the usefulness of process dissociation for capturing individual differences in deontological and utilitarian inclinations, revealing positive correlations of both inclinations to moral identity. Moreover, deontological inclinations were uniquely related to empathic concern, perspective-taking, and religiosity, whereas utilitarian inclinations were uniquely related to need for cognition. Study 2 demonstrated that cognitive load selectively reduced utilitarian inclinations, with deontological inclinations being unaffected. In Study 3, a manipulation designed to enhance empathy increased deontological inclinations, with utilitarian inclinations being unaffected. These findings provide evidence for the independent contributions of deontological and utilitarian inclinations to moral judgments, resolving many theoretical ambiguities implied by previous research.

A mutualistic approach to morality: The evolution of fairness by partner choice

Abstract: What makes humans moral beings? This question can be understood either as a proximate "how" question or as an ultimate "why" question. The "how" question is about the mental and social mechanisms that produce moral judgments and interactions, and has been investigated by psychologists and social scientists. The "why" question is about the fitness consequences that explain why humans have morality, and has been discussed by evolutionary biologists in the context of the evolution of cooperation. Our goal here is to contribute to a fruitful articulation of such proximate and ultimate explanations of human morality. We develop an approach to morality as an adaptation to an environment in which individuals were in competition to be chosen and recruited in mutually advantageous cooperative interactions. In this environment, the best strategy is to treat others with impartiality and to share the costs and benefits of cooperation equally. Those who offer less than others will be left out of cooperation; conversely, those who offer more will be exploited by their partners. In line with this mutualistic approach, the study of a range of economic games involving property rights, collective actions, mutual help and punishment shows that participants' distributions aim at sharing the costs and benefits of interactions in an impartial way. In particular, the distribution of resources is influenced by effort and talent, and the perception of each participant's rights on the resources to be distributed.

Moral Judgment and Action in Preverbal Infants and Toddlers Evidence for an Innate Moral Core

Abstract: Although developmental psychologists traditionally explore morality from a learning and development perspective, some aspects of the human moral sense may be built-in, having evolved to sustain collective action and cooperation as required for successful group living. In this article, I review a recent body of research with infants and toddlers, demonstrating surprisingly sophisticated and flexible moral behavior and evaluation in a preverbal population whose opportunity for moral learning is limited at best. Although this work itself is in its infancy, it supports theoretical claims that human morality is a core aspect of human nature.

The Subject of Virtue: An Anthropology of Ethics and Freedom

Abstract: The anthropology of ethics has become an important and fast-growing field in recent years. This book argues that it represents not just a new subfield within anthropology but a conceptual renewal of the discipline as a whole, enabling it to take account of a major dimension of human conduct which social theory has so far failed adequately to address. An ideal introduction for students and researchers in anthropology and related human sciences.Shows how ethical concepts such as virtue, character, freedom and responsibility may be incorporated into anthropological analysisSurveys the history of anthropology's engagement with morality Examines the relevance for anthropology of two major philosophical approaches to moral life.

Belief in conspiracy theories: The influence of uncertainty and perceived morality

Abstract: Inthe presentresearch,weexaminedpeople’s tendencytoendorseorquestion beliefinconspiracy theories.Intwo studies,wetested the hypothesis that the perceived morality of authorities influences conspiracy beliefs, particularly when people experience uncertainty. Study 1 revealed that information about the morality of oil companies influenced beliefs that these companies were involved in planning the war in Iraq, but only when uncertainty was made salient. Similar findings were obtained in Study 2, which focused on a bogus newspaper article about a fatal car accident of a political leader in an African country. It is concluded that uncertainty leads people to make inferences about the plausibility or implausibility of conspiracy theories by attending to morality information. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. In contemporary society, people are frequently faced with events that threaten the social order, such as terrorist attacks, wars, and economic crises. These events sometimes give rise to conspiracy theories, which can be defined as explanatory beliefs that involve a number of actors who join together in secret agreement, and try to achieve a hidden goal that is perceived as unlawful or malevolent (Zonis & Joseph, 1994; p. 448–449). These conspiring actors typically pertain to legitimate power holders or insti

Precis – The Order of Public Reason: A Theory of Freedom and Morality in a Diverse and Bounded World

Abstract: Th is work advances a theory that forms a unifi ed picture of what I call “social morality,” and the ways that it relates to the political order. It draws on a wide variety of tools and methods: game theory, experimental psychology, economics, sociological theories of cultural evolution, theories of emotion and reasoning, axiomatic social choice theory, constitutional political economy, Kantian moral philosophy, prescriptivism, and analyzes reasoning, and how it relates to freedom in human aff airs. Th e book is motivated by one central concern: can the authority of social morality be reconciled with our status as free and equal moral persons in a world characterized by deep and pervasive yet reasonable disagreements about the standards by which to evaluate the justifi ability of claims to moral authority? If it cannot — if the authority of social morality requires that some simply obey others — then our morality is authoritarian. In contrast, a social order that is structured by a nonauthoritarian social morality is a free moral order: a moral order that is endorsed by the reasons of all, in which all have reasons of their own, based on their own ideas of what is important and valuable, to endorse the authority of social morality. Such a social and moral order is “an order of public reason” — it is endorsed by the reasons of all the public. Only if we achieve an order of public reason can we share a cooperative social order on terms of moral freedom and equality. Only in an order of public reason is our morality truly a joint product of the reasons of all rather than a mode of oppression by which some invoke the idea of morality to rule the lives of others.

Surveying the Moral Landscape Moral Motives and Group-Based Moralities

Abstract: We present a new six-cell Model of Moral Motives that applies a fundamental motivational distinction in psychology to the moral domain. In addition to moral motives focused on the self or another, we propose two group-based moralities, both communal in orientation, but reflecting distinct moral motives (Social Order/Communal Solidarity vs. Social Justice/Communal Responsibility) as well as differences in construals of group entitativity. The two group-based moralities have implications for intragroup homogeneity as well as intergroup conflict. Our model challenges the conclusions of Haidt and colleagues that only conservatives (not liberals) are group oriented and embrace a binding morality. We explore the implications of this new model for politics in particular and for the self-regulation versus social regulation of morality more generally.

The New Sociology of Morality

Abstract: Sociology was once integral to the scientific study of morality, but its explicit focus has waned over the past half-century. This article calls for greater sociological engagement in order to speak to the resurgence of the study of morality in cognate fields. We identify important treatments of morality, some of which are not explicitly so, and identify those treatments that build a distinctly sociological focus on morality: room for culturally divergent understandings of its content, a focus on antecedent social factors that shape it, and a concern with ecologically valid explorations of its social importance.

Fondements de La Metaphysique Des Moeurs

Abstract: In this book, Kant raises the issue of the morality of human actions, which have to be brought about by what he calls the “good will” in order to be deemed “good”. He distinguishes action carried out according to the duty and action accomplished by duty. But what are the ends of the action? Again, we have to distinguish hypothetical and categorical imperatives, before setting the autonomy of the will as the supreme morality principle. As any reasonable human being is free, Kant has to tackle this very delicate issue: how is it that the human being is both free and submitted to his duty, to the universal law? Maybe because he lives in both sensitive and intelligible worlds. In that case one must accept that there are limits to practical philsophy, which must contnt itself to formulatiing concepts, without comprehending them.

Citizenship and Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Moral Licensing View

Abstract: Despite the generally negative relationship between organizational citizenship behaviors and counterproductive work behaviors, employees often engage in both. Psychologists have found that when people engage in morally praiseworthy behaviors, they often grant themselves a moral license to behave immorally. In this article we draw on moral licensing theory and research on identity orientations to explain why and when citizenship behavior may lead to subsequent counterproductive behavior. We also explain how the harm done to the personal reputation of employees who engage in counterproductive work behaviors will be lessened by the degree to which they have a moral license to engage in such behaviors.

The Blackwell Guide to Ethical Theory

Abstract: Notes on Editors and Contributors vii Introduction 1 Hugh LaFollette and Ingmar Persson Part I Metaethics and Moral Epistemology 1 Moral Realism 17 Michael Smith 2 Relativism 43 Simon Blackburn 3 Moral Agreement 59 Derek Parfit 4 Divine Command Theory 81 Philip L. Quinn 5 Moral Intuition 103 Jeff McMahan Part II Factual Background of Ethics 6 Ethics and Evolution 123 Richard Joyce 7 Psychological Egoism 148 Elliott Sober 8 The Science of Ethics 169 Ron Mallon and John M. Doris 9 The Relevance of Responsibility to Morality 197 Ingmar Persson Part III Normative Ethics 10 Act-Utilitarianism 221 R.G. Frey 11 Rule-Consequentialism 238 Brad Hooker 12 Nonconsequentialism 261 F.M. Kamm 13 Intuitionism 287 David McNaughton and Piers Rawling 14 Kantianism 311 Thomas E. Hill Jr 15 Contractarianism 332 Geoffrey Sayre-McCord 16 Rights 354 L.W. Sumner 17 Libertarianism 373 Jan Narveson 18 Virtue Ethics 394 Michael Slote 19 Capability Ethics 412 Ingrid Robeyns 20 Feminist Ethics 433 Alison M. Jaggar 21 Continental Ethics 461 William R. Schroeder Index 487

A System of Moral Philosophy

Abstract: VOLUME ONE Preface Book 1 - Concerning the Constitution of Human Nature, and the Supreme Good 1. Of the Constitution of Human Nature and its Powers and first, the Understanding, Will, and Passions 2. Concerning the finer Powers of Perception 3. Concerning the Ultimate Determinations of Will, and benevolent Affections. 4. Concerning the Moral Sense, or Faculty of perceiving Moral Excellence, and its Supreme Objects 5. The Sense of Honour and Shame explained. The universal Influence of the Moral Sense, and that of honour and their Uniformity. Book 1. Part 2 - An Enquiry into the Supreme Happiness of Mankind 6. How far into the Supreme Sensations, Appetites, Passions and Affections, are in our Power 7. A Comparison of the several sorts of Enjoyment, and the opposite sorts of Uneasiness, to find their importance to Happiness 8. A Comparison of the several Tempers and Characters in point of Happiness or Misery 9. The Duties toward God and first, of just Sentiments concerning his Nature 10. The Affections, Duty, and Worship, to be exercised toward the Deity 11. The Conclusion of this Book, showing the way to the Supreme Happiness of our Nature Book 2 - Containing a Deduction of the more special Laws of Nature, and Duties of Life, previous to Civil Government, and other adventitious States 1. The Circumstances which increase or diminish the Moral Good or Evil of Actions 2. General Rules of Judging about the Morality of Actions, from the Affections exciting them, or opposing them 3. The general Notions of Rights and Laws explained with their Divisions 4. The different States of Men. The State of Liberty not a State of War. The way that private Rights are known. The Necessity of a Social Life 5. The private Rights of Men first, such as are called Natural and the Equality of Men 6. The adventitious Rights, real, and personal. Property or Dominion 7. The Means of acquiring Property. How far it extends. In what Subjects it resides 8. Concerning derived Property, and the Ways of alienating or transferring it 9. Concerning Contracts or Covenants 10. The Obligations in the Use of Speech 11. Concerning Oaths and Vows 12. The Values of Goods in Commerce, and the Nature of Coin 13. The principal Contracts in a Social Life 14. Personal Rights arising from some Actions of the Person obliged, or of him who has the Right 15. The Rights arising from Injuries and Damages, done by others: and the Abolition of Rights 16. Concerning the general Rights of Human Society, or Mankind as a System 17. The extraordinary Rights arising from some singular Necessity 18. How Controversies should be decided in Natural Liberty Book 3 - Of Civil Policy 1. Concerning the adventitious States or permanent Relations: and first, Marriage 2. The Rights and Duties of Parents and Children 3. The Duties and Rights of Masters and Servants 4. The Motives to constitute Civil Government 5. The natural Method of constituting Civil Government, and the essential parts of it 6. The several Forms of Polity, with their principal Advantages and Disadvantages 7. The Rights of Governors, how far they extend 8. The Ways in which Supreme Power is acquired: how far just 9. Of the Nature of Civil Laws and their Execution 10. The Laws of Peace and War 11. The Duration of the Politic Union and the Conclusion.

The Psychology of Money

Abstract: This fascinating book examines such diverse and compelling subjects as: money and power, gender differences, morality and tax, the very rich, the poor, lottery and pools winners, how possessions and wealth affect self-image and esteem, why some people become misers and others gamblers, spendthrifts and tycoons, and why some people gain more pleasure from giving away money than from retaining it. Comprehensive and cross-cultural, The Psychology of Money integrates fascinating and scattered literature from many disciplines, and includes the most recent material to date. It will be of interest to psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists and to people interested in business and economics.

For whom do the ends justify the means? Social class and utilitarian moral judgment.

Abstract: Though scholars have speculated for centuries on links between individuals' social class standing and approach to moral reasoning, little systematic research exists on how class and morality are associated. Here, we investigate whether the tendency of upper-class individuals to exhibit reduced empathy makes them more likely to resist intuitionist options in moral dilemmas, instead favoring utilitarian choices that maximize the greatest good for the greatest number. In Study 1, upper-class participants were more likely than lower-class participants to choose the utilitarian option in the footbridge dilemma, which evokes relatively strong moral intuitions, but not in the standard trolley dilemma, which evokes relatively weak moral intuitions. In Study 2, upper-class participants were more likely to take resources from one person to benefit several others in an allocation task, and this association was explained by their lower empathy for the person whose resources were taken. Finally, in Study 3, the association between social class and utilitarian judgment was reduced in a condition in which empathy was induced, but not in a control condition, suggesting that reduced empathy helps account for the utilitarianism of upper-class individuals.

When moral identity symbolization motivates prosocial behavior: the role of recognition and moral identity internalization.

Abstract: This article examines the role of moral identity symbolization in motivating prosocial behaviors We propose a 3-way interaction of moral identity symbolization, internalization, and recognition to predict prosocial behavior When moral identity internalization is low, we hypothesize that high moral identity symbolization motivates recognized prosocial behavior due to the opportunity to present one's moral characteristics to others In contrast, when moral identity internalization is high, prosocial behavior is motivated irrespective of the level of symbolization and recognition Two studies provide support for this pattern examining volunteering of time Our results provide a framework for predicting prosocial behavior by combining the 2 dimensions of moral identity with the situational factor of recognition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger: How Moral Decoupling Enables Consumers to Admire and Admonish

Abstract: What reasoning processes do consumers use to support public figures who act immorally? Existing research emphasizes moral rationalization, whereby people reconstrue improper behavior in order to maintain support for a transgressor. In contrast, the current research proposes that people also engage in moral decoupling, a previously unstudied moral reasoning process by which judgments of performance are separated from judgments of morality. By separating these judgments, moral decoupling allows consumers to support a transgressor’s performance while simultaneously condemning his or her transgressions. Five laboratory studies demonstrate that moral decoupling exists and is psychologically distinct from moral rationalization. Moreover, because moral decoupling does not involve condoning immoral behavior, it is easier to justify than moral rationalization. Finally, a field study suggests that in discussions involving public figures’ transgressions, moral decoupling may be more predictive of consumer support (a...

Morality and behavioural regulation in groups: A social identity approach

Abstract: In recent years social psychologists have displayed a growing interest in examining morality—what people consider right and wrong. The majority of work in this area has addressed this either in terms of individual-level processes (relating to moral decision making or interpersonal impression formation) or as a way to explain intergroup relations (perceived fairness of status differences, responses to group-level moral transgressions). We complement this work by examining how moral standards and moral judgements play a role in the regulation of individual behaviour within groups and social systems. In doing this we take into account processes of social identification and self-categorisation, as these help us to understand how adherence to moral standards may be functional as a way to improve group-level conceptions of self. We review a recent research programme in which we have investigated the importance of morality for group-based identities and intra-group behavioural regulation. This reveals convergent...

License to Ill: The Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility and CEO Moral Identity on Corporate Social Irresponsibility

Abstract: Although managers and researchers have invested considerable effort into understanding corporate social responsibility (CSR), less is known about corporate social irresponsibility (CSiR). Drawing on strategic leadership and moral licensing research, we address this gap by considering the relationship between CSR and CSiR. We predict that prior CSR is positively associated with subsequent CSiR because the moral credits achieved through CSR enable leaders to engage in less ethical stakeholder treatment. Further, we hypothesize that leaders� moral identity symbolization, or the degree to which being moral is expressed outwardly to the public through actions and behavior, will moderate the CSR�CSiR relationship, such that the relationship will be stronger when CEOs are high on moral identity symbolization rather than low on moral identity symbolization. Through an archival study of 49 Fortune 500 firms, we find support for our hypotheses.