How Moral Beliefs Influence Collective Violence. Evidence From Lynching in Mexico.

ABSTRACT: How do moral beliefs influence favorability to collective violence? In this article, I argue that, first, moral beliefs are influential depending on their salience, as harm avoidance is a common moral concern. The more accessible moral beliefs in decision-making, the more they restrain harmful behavior. Second, moral beliefs are influential depending on their content. Group-oriented moral beliefs can overturn the harm avoidance principle and motivate individuals to favor collective violence. Analysis is based on a representative survey in Mexico City and focuses on a proximate form of collective violence, locally called lynching. Findings support both logics of moral influence. Experimentally induced moral salience reduces favorability to lynching, and group-oriented moral beliefs are rela

SUBMITTER: Nussio E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11573652 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature