Binding moral values gain importance in the presence of close others.

ABSTRACT: A key function of morality is to regulate social behavior. Research suggests moral values may be divided into two types: binding values, which govern behavior in groups, and individualizing values, which promote personal rights and freedoms. Because people tend to mentally activate concepts in situations in which they may prove useful, the importance they afford moral values may vary according to whom they are with in the moment. In particular, because binding values help regulate communal behavior, people may afford these values more importance when in the presence of close (versus distant) others. Five studies test and support this hypothesis. First, we use a custom smartphone application to repeatedly record participants' (n = 1166) current social context and the importance they afforde

SUBMITTER: Yudkin DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8113481 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature