Moral and ethical conduct (and their absence) in groups, politics, and society: Introduction to the special issue

Abstract

Morality—broadly defined as the distinction between “right” and “wrong” ways to behave—represents one of the most important and appealing inquiries within the realm of social sciences. Past research has consistently shown that morality dominates social perception and serves regulatory functions that help individuals define their social identities, regulate intragroup dynamics, and shape intergroup and political relations. We introduce a special issue that presents 10 articles that center on the theme of morality as a tool for regulating social life at different levels. These articles can be broadly organized into three interrelated macrothemes: intragroup processes, intergroup processes, and political processes. The research studies described in the special issue highlight the societal and political implications of morality; in particular, these studies allow us to map out particular strategies and policy recommendations aimed at diminishing the negative and enhancing the positive implications of morality, and at avoiding moral conflicts.