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Pandya N, Jensen LA, Bhangaokar R. Moral reasoning among children in India: The intersection of culture, development, and social class. APPLIED DEVELOPMENTAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/10888691.2021.2007770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Terbeck S, Charlesford J, Clemans H, Pope E, Lee A, Turner J, Gummerum M, Bussmann B. Physical Presence during Moral Action in Immersive Virtual Reality. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18158039. [PMID: 34360328 PMCID: PMC8345728 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18158039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Research on morality has focused on differences in moral judgment and action. In this study, we investigated self-reported moral reasoning after a hypothetical moral dilemma was presented on paper, and moral reasoning after that very same dilemma was experienced in immersive virtual reality (IVR). We asked open-ended questions and used content analysis to determine moral reasoning in a sample of 107 participants. We found that participants referred significantly more often to abstract principles and consequences for themselves (i.e., it is against the law) after the paper-based moral dilemma compared to the IVR dilemma. In IVR participants significantly more often referred to the consequences for the people involved in the dilemma (i.e., not wanting to hurt that particular person). This supports the separate process theory, suggesting that decision and action might be different moral concepts with different foci regarding moral reasoning. Using simulated moral scenarios thus seems essential as it illustrates possible mechanisms of empathy and altruism being more relevant for moral actions especially given the physical presence of virtual humans in IVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Terbeck
- School of Psychology, Liverpool John Moores University, Byron Street, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Jaysan Charlesford
- School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 4AG, UK; (J.C.); (H.C.); (E.P.); (A.L.); (J.T.)
| | - Heather Clemans
- School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 4AG, UK; (J.C.); (H.C.); (E.P.); (A.L.); (J.T.)
| | - Emily Pope
- School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 4AG, UK; (J.C.); (H.C.); (E.P.); (A.L.); (J.T.)
| | - Aimee Lee
- School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 4AG, UK; (J.C.); (H.C.); (E.P.); (A.L.); (J.T.)
| | - Joshua Turner
- School of Psychology, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 4AG, UK; (J.C.); (H.C.); (E.P.); (A.L.); (J.T.)
| | - Michaela Gummerum
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK;
| | - Bettina Bussmann
- Department of Philosophy, Salzburg University, Franziskanergasse 1, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
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Nazarov A, Walaszczyk V, Frewen P, Oremus C, Lanius R, McKinnon MC. Moral reasoning in women with posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood abuse. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2016; 7:31028. [PMID: 27837580 PMCID: PMC5106867 DOI: 10.3402/ejpt.v7.31028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary evidence suggests that relative to healthy controls, patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show deficits on several inter-related social cognitive tasks, including theory of mind, and emotion comprehension. Systematic investigations examining other aspects of social cognition, including moral reasoning, have not been conducted in PTSD stemming from childhood trauma. OBJECTIVE To conduct a comprehensive assessment of moral reasoning performance in individuals with PTSD stemming from childhood abuse. METHOD Moral reasoning performance was assessed in 28 women with PTSD related to prolonged childhood trauma and 19 matched healthy controls. Performance was assessed using 12 modified moral dilemmas and was queried in three domains: utilitarian/deontological sacrificial dilemmas (personal and impersonal), social order vs. compassion, and altruism vs. self-interest. Participants were asked whether a proposed action was morally acceptable or unacceptable and whether or not they would perform this action under the circumstances described. RESULTS Women with PTSD were less likely to carry out utilitarian actions in personal, sacrificial moral dilemmas, a choice driven primarily by consequential intrapersonal disapproval. Increased concern regarding intrapersonal disapproval was related to higher symptoms of guilt in the PTSD group. Patients with PTSD demonstrated less altruistic moral reasoning, primarily associated with decreased empathic role-taking for beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS Women with PTSD due to childhood trauma show alterations in moral reasoning marked by decreased utilitarian judgment and decreased altruism. Childhood trauma may continue to impact moral choices made into adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Nazarov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Victoria Walaszczyk
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Frewen
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Carolina Oremus
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ruth Lanius
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Margaret C McKinnon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Homewood Research Institute, Guelph, ON, Canada;
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Hayes SC, Gifford EV, Hayes GJ. Moral behavior and the development of verbal regulation. THE BEHAVIOR ANALYST 2012; 21:253-79. [PMID: 22478311 DOI: 10.1007/bf03391967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The present paper examines the relationship between the development of moral behavior and the development of verbal regulatory processes. Relational frame theory and the distinctions among pliance, tracking, and augmenting forms of rule governance are applied to the domain of moral behavior and its development, in order to identify the specific social and verbal contingencies that are responsible for an evolving moral repertoire. It is argued that moral behavior is controlled by relational and rule-following repertoires, and that these can be arranged into a rough progression: pliance, tracking, augmenting, social concern for pliance, social concern for tracking, and social concern for augmenting. Congruence with data derived from other research traditions is examined, and applied implications are explored.
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Stams GJ, Brugman D, Deković M, van Rosmalen L, van der Laan P, Gibbs JC. The moral judgment of juvenile delinquents: a meta-analysis. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2006; 34:697-713. [PMID: 17048108 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-006-9056-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2006] [Accepted: 09/26/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A meta-analysis of 50 studies was conducted to investigate whether juvenile delinquents use lower levels of moral judgment than their nondelinquent age-mates and, if so, what factors may influence or moderate the developmental delay. The results show a lower stage of moral judgment for juvenile delinquents (d=.76). Effect sizes were large for comparisons involving male offenders, late adolescents, delinquents with low intelligence, and incarcerated delinquents. The largest effect sizes were found for period of incarceration and comparisons involving juvenile delinquents with psychopathic disorder. Production instead of recognition measures, dilemma-free assessment methods, and non-blind scoring procedures yielded relatively large effect sizes, whereas effect sizes were medium for comparisons involving delinquents with average intelligence, non-incarcerated delinquents, female offenders, as well as early and middle adolescents. Psychopathic disorder and institutionalization were identified as unique moderators of the link between moral judgment and juvenile delinquency. It is concluded that developmentally delayed moral judgment is strongly associated with juvenile delinquency, even after controlling for socioeconomic status, gender, age and intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert Jan Stams
- Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Department of Education, P.O. Box 94208, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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