Beyond the Liberal–Conservative Binary: Generosity, Religion, and a Latent Profile Analysis of Moral Foundations in a Christian Sample

Abstract

This study conducted an experiment to examine the associations between moral foundations profiles, religion, and generosity ( N = 313). Previously identified profiles were replicated with latent profile analyses based on the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ). Four MFQ profiles (Neutral, High Moralist, Moderate, and Individuator) were identified in this study of Christian church attenders. Significant differences across these four profiles are associated with distinctions in generosity, some components of empathy, religiousness, and political ideology. Compared with the other three profiles, individuals with the Individuator profile donated more of their participant payment to a charitable organization run by a religious out-group (Muslims). In contrast, there were no differences between profiles on donations to the in-group, secular groups, or total donations. Religious fundamentalism was lowest among Individuators and highest among High Moralists, the latter of whom also reported higher interpersonal generosity than Moderates.