Moral binding: How emotions, convictions, and identity fusion shape progroup behavior

Abstract

Past research suggests that some moral principles encourage prosocial behavior by binding people together into tight-knit groups. In the present research, we test (1) how – at the psychological process level – morality binds groups together, (2) which moral principles have a binding effect, and (3) what kinds of collective experiences promote moral binding. Across five studies (N = 1623) and different conceptual frameworks, we find consistent empirical evidence for moral binding. First, our data suggest that identity fusion mediates the relationship between group members’ moral convictions and their willingness to engage in extreme progroup behavior. Second, our analyses revealed a binding effect of moral principles involving hierarchy/deference and generosity/benevolence through this mechanism. Finally, we find that negative collective experiences and positive group-based emotions predicted the emergence of moral binding in the context of both the family and national group memberships.