Moral Foundations Research Articles

Moral foundations and political ideology in the UK

Moral foundations theory is one of the most popularised and tested lenses of recent years, with its ability to account for differences in political ideology. For the first time using a nationally representative random probability sample, we assess how the newly refined moral foundation questionnaire may explain differences in political ideology and views on political issues in the UK. We confirm a six-factor model with robust estimates for the moral intuitions of care, equality, proportionality, authority, loyalty, and purity. We then use moral intuitions to predict (a) economic left-right and socially liberal-conservative ideology and (b) the relationship between political ideology and views on salient political issues. We find moral intuitions mostly play a unifying role across a series of issues, with the exception of feelings toward patriotism and Brexit.

Moral Comments in Social Media: Analyzing the Role of Ideology-Matching Moral Framing and Impression Motivation in the Persuasive Effect of User Comments on YouTube

ABSTRACT This research explores how users form attitudes when they are presented with online videos and moral comments from their fellow audience. Based on the Heuristic-Systematic Model (HSM) and Moral Foundations Theory (MFT), the study aims to find out how different moral foundations represented in user comments interact with the motivational state, the political orientation, and the moral beliefs of the viewer. In two pre-registered experiments (N = 314 and N = 1015), the inclusion of moral arguments within comments below a YouTube video (harm vs. authority), their valence (positive vs. negative) and the participants’ motivational states (high vs. low impression motivation) were varied. While Experiment 1 revealed no significant effects regarding the persuasive effect of user comments and accompanying moral arguments, Experiment 2 showed a more general effect of comment valence on viewers’ attitude formation. These results help to specify the conditions under which user comments may lead individuals to construct their attitude in a way that fits the perceived majority opinion.

Do we want AI judges? The acceptance of AI judges’ judicial decision-making on moral foundations

Do we want AI judges? The acceptance of AI judges’ judicial decision-making on moral foundations

Ethical transparency in business failure prediction: uncovering the black box of xgboost algorithm

ABSTRACT This paper introduces an innovative machine learning model, built upon the robust and interpretable Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost technique), to predict business failure. The study uses the VADIS financial strength indicator, from ORBIS, in a sample of 3,806 Spanish firms. The empirical analysis demonstrates that higher solvency, profitability, and reduced indebtedness correlate with a lower propensity for business failure. The model offers a powerful tool for early detection and intervention in financial distress, helping prevent insolvency. This study extends its focus to the ethical dimensions inherent in the application of machine learning algorithms. It attempts to demystify the proverbial ‘black box’ nature of such techniques, shedding light on their ethical foundations. By demonstrating the transparency and interpretability of the XGBoost model, we address the ethical concerns often associated with the ‘black box’ nature of machine learning algorithms.

Humanization promotes equality over efficiency preference in carbon allocation

Decisions regarding international carbon allocation present an efficiency–equality dilemma. In addition to serving national interests, recent studies have shown the moral value foundations of carbon allocation preferences. Nevertheless, concentrating only on the moral values of the allocator is insufficient; the allocator's moral concern for the allocatees often plays an equally or even more crucial role. Inspired by the moral concern model of humanization, we propose that the humanization of allocatees boosts empathy toward them, thereby promoting equality (versus efficiency) preference in carbon allocation. The results of three studies (N = 911) reveal that humanization increases selection of more equal (versus efficient) allocation proposals (Studies 1–3) and decreases credit allocation differences between allocatees (Studies 2 and 3). Further, enhanced empathy is found to mediate these effects (Studies 2 and 3). By identifying the roles of humanization and empathy in carbon allocation preferences, this research provides a moral concern framework for understanding international carbon allocation controversies and has important implications for promoting climate governance cooperation.

Morality boundary work in the making of the needle and syringe exchange program in Stockholm

Background Drug policy is prone to build on rationales based on different moralities rather than evidence. Less is known about how moralities influence drug policy implementation in practice. The aim was to analyze expressions of moralities among local policy-makers, professionals, and drug users in the context of the Stockholm needle and syringe exchange program (NSP). Methods Using political documentation from Stockholm (2003–2016), focus group (12 NSP staff), and 32 drug user interviews, moralities concerning drug policy and harm reduction were analyzed based on moral foundations theory and boundary work. Results Three main moral dilemmas were identified concerning the subjects, aims, and orientation of drug policy: whether drug users are worthy of inclusion to society; if the general public should be prioritized or the health of drug users, and the orientation of practices as based on control or autonomy. Policy debate was driven by virtues such as purity and authority, whereas staff and drug users valued care, fairness and liberty. Conclusions The prohibitionist and abstinence-oriented Swedish drug policy has created social boundaries on the practice-level. Hence, users’ perspectives, and those who care about them, should be extensively involved in political discussions to foster a more moral and humane drug policy.

The Influence of Group Identification and Morality in Support for Defunding the Police

There is very little research regarding what factors drive support for defunding the police. Using the theoretical framework of the Group Engagement Model and the Moral Foundations Theory, this study explores if and how race, group identification, and morality shape support for defunding the police. Results indicated that increased superordinate identification and binding moral foundations reduced support for defunding the police among White respondents. For Black respondents, increased subordinate identification explains their increased support for defunding the police. Attachment to one’s racial group and concerns for its welfare coupled with moral intuitions driven by care and fairness toward victims of police brutality who are disproportionately Black explains why Blacks Americans began and support calls to defund the police.

Integrative Learning Strategies for Enhancing Critical Thinking in Islamic Religious Education

This research employs a qualitative approach to explore integrative learning strategies aimed at enhancing critical thinking skills in Islamic Religious Education at the secondary school level in Padang, Indonesia. The study involved four teachers and 120 students from various classes to provide a comprehensive perspective. Given the increasing importance of critical thinking in education, especially in subjects that shape students' moral and ethical foundations, this research emphasizes the crucial role of developing these skills within Islamic Religious Education. Data were collected through direct classroom observations, in-depth interviews with teachers and students to capture their experiences and insights on the strategies used, and a detailed analysis of relevant teaching materials. The findings reveal that group discussions create a dynamic environment where students can exchange ideas, broaden perspectives, and develop critical arguments. Case study analyses enable students to connect religious concepts to real-life situations, reinforcing the practical significance of religious teachings. Problem-solving activities promote logical, systematic, and reflective thinking skills, especially when addressing complex moral and ethical dilemmas. The study also highlights that these strategies not only enhance students' critical thinking but also increase their active engagement in learning, deepen their understanding of religious teachings, and foster a reflective approach toward moral values. This research offers an in-depth understanding of the effectiveness of integrative learning strategies in Islamic Religious Education and underscores their relevance in preparing students to meet the demands of modern education, which prioritizes critical thinking skills.

University students’ attitudes towards the values of physical culture and sport as indicators of their social development

Introduction. Physical culture and sports activities play a crucial role in the socialisation and personal development of individuals. Understanding students’ attitudes towards the social values of sports is essential for creating an effective system of physical education and social development at a university. Aim. The present research aimed to examine the relationship between university students’ attitudes towards various values of sports and their social responsibility, psychosocial well-being, commitment to moral norms, and social values as indicators of social development. Methodology and research methods. The study utilised various frameworks, including the psychology of sports concerning moral norms and values, the theory of physical education related to the social development of students through physical culture and sports, and social psychology focusing on indicators of social development. Psychodiagnostic methods employed included the Spirit of Sport (SOS) scale, Social Responsibility Scale, Portrait Value Questionnaire, Moral Foundations Questionnaire, and Subjective Well-Being Scale. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis, the Mann – Whitney U test, and the Friedman test. The research involved 323 university students aged 18 to 23 years. Results and scientific novelty. The research conducted has demonstrated that, in the realm of sports, students exhibit a greater commitment to the values of health, ethics, and respect for their opponents. The findings reveal that students’ orientation towards the sports values of respect and education serves as a predictor of their social development, which is manifested in the cultivation of social responsibility. This social responsibility is, in turn, influenced by various social values, including care, independence, safety, conformity, and self-affirmation, as well as moral norms. Furthermore, it has been established that the psychosocial well-being of students and their social responsibility are interdependent characteristics. Practical significance. The theoretical and empirical findings of this study can be beneficial for the development of courses in psychology, sports pedagogy, and social psychology.

Peran Al-Quran dan Hadist dalam Pembentukan Etika Sosial di Era Digital

This article discusses the importance of the Al-Quran and Hadith as the main sources of Islamic teachings in shaping social ethics in the digital era. In the context of continuously developing technology, the main challenge faced is how to integrate moral values ​​originating from the Koran and Hadith into everyday life which is increasingly influenced by digital media. The Koran provides a strong moral foundation, including respecting individual rights and maintaining justice, while the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW provides concrete examples of how to apply these teachings in social life. This article examines the relevance of these teachings in dealing with phenomena such as cyberbullying, hate speech, and other challenges in digital interactions. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a focus on literature study as the main methodology. The research results show that a deep understanding of the Al-Quran and Hadith is important for developing strategies to overcome the complexity of social ethics in the digital era, which allows Muslims to maintain noble values ​​in social interactions in an increasingly connected virtual world.

Dying for help: How mortality salience impacts perceptions of victims

Terror Management Theory posits that reminders of mortality increase support for cultural values and negative views toward transgressors. However, little research has investigated how mortality salience can influence individuals’ perceptions of victims who have suffered differing moral misfortune types. This study explored how mortality salience and moral misfortune types affect the perceptions of victims. One hundred forty-three participants were exposed to either mortality or control manipulation and were given five victim scenarios based on five moral foundations: harm, fairness, purity, loyalty, and authority. Participants rated the deservingness of help for the victim in each scenario. The results indicated that harm and purity transgressions elicited more help, while conservative individuals viewed purity victims less favorably under mortality salience. This suggests that mortality salience influences victim perceptions based on moral context. This study illustrates how mortality salience can shape perceptions of victim’s deservingness.

Exploring Ethical Considerations in Art Therapy

Art therapy is a professional technique in which art and psychology come together to assist healing. Ethical considerations in art therapy are crucial in creating trust, maintaining confidentiality, and obtaining informed permission from therapists and clients. This study investigates the fundamental ethical concepts that underpin art therapy, including confidentiality, informed consent, dual partnerships, and cultural competency. It examines the theoretical foundations of ethics, drawing on utilitarianism, deontology, and nonmaleficence, among others. Furthermore, this study investigates the complicated ethical quandaries that arise from boundary-crossing, as well as the requirement for therapists to practice culturally competently. The goal is to demonstrate how ethical awareness and thoughtful application improve the therapy experience and result in improved client results. Keywords: Art therapy, ethics, confidentiality, informed consent, dual relationships, cultural competence.

Stakeholder Engagement: Theoretical and Methodological Directions for Project Scholarship

In our introduction to this Special Issue on Project Stakeholder Engagement, we emphasize the imperative for a deeper understanding of stakeholder phenomena in the context of temporary organizations. Our argument addresses the growing need for organizational strategies that focus on more inclusive approaches, the moral foundations of stakeholder thinking, and the necessity of considering marginalized groups. Recent debates in management and organizational scholarship have conveyed a key message to organizations: the need for them to contribute to a more cohesive and sustainable world. However, this paradigm shift from stakeholder ‘management’ to ‘engagement’ also presents new challenges for (project) organizations as they seek to address and balance the needs and demands of multiple stakeholders. Such approaches require more collaborative and inclusive structures to tackle pressing social issues and to recognize a broader array of stakeholders in value-creation processes. Against this backdrop, the focus of this Special Issue is on advancing theory and evidence related to the nature, aims, processes, and consequences of stakeholder engagement in temporary organizations. We summarize the contributions of each of the six articles that make up this Special Issue, noting in particular their methodological and theoretical diversity. In conclusion, we propose a future research agenda on project stakeholder engagement, inspired by the ideas and insights developed in this Special Issue.

The Gusjigang model for strengthening local wisdom-based character education in digital era

This research aims to analyze Gusjigang (bagus (superior), ngaji (religious science), and dagang (trade)) as a model of strengthening character education based on local wisdom in the digital era. This research methodology uses a systematic literature review with in-depth analysis. The results of this study show that the dimensions of Gusjigang can foster moral goodness, intellectual development, and entrepreneurial spirit. In this case, the younger generation can build a strong ethical foundation, utilize technology wisely, and contribute to the development of themselves and society. By combining Gusjigang values and digital technology, it can create a model of character education that is relevant, strengthens cultural identity, and can adapt to changing times without losing its roots and fundamental values.

Influence of Childhood Home Education on Students’ Character Formation and Academic Development

There is still a dearth of emphasis on the family environment, particularly on family education, despite the fact that a lot of attention has been devoted to the psychological difficulties that kids face in schools, such as anxiety, mental health concerns, and bullying. The engagement of parents in the education of their children is essential for the development of emotional intelligence, the instillation of values, and the promotion of self-discipline and responsibility. The purpose of this study is to analyze the ways in which family education plays an important role in the formation of children’s emotional, intellectual, and moral foundations. This paper argues that the method and content of family education have an important impact on students’ growth. This influence covers the development of students’ character, moral character, personal academic achievement and career development. However, at present, there are still problems such as insufficient concepts and improper methods in family education. Therefore, parents should create a good environment for their students, and at the same time improve their own educational concepts and methods.

Management of Educators and Education Personnel from an Islamic Perspective

This article discusses the concept of management of teaching staff and educational staff from an Islamic perspective. The type of research used in searching for data is a library research study. This article explores Islamic principles that can be applied in managing human resources in educational institutions. The results of the study show that Islamic values ​​such as trust, fairness, shura, and ihsan have strong relevance to modern management practices, and can provide a solid ethical foundation for the management of teaching and education personnel. Several important things discussed in the implementation of Islamic teaching and education management in educational institutions include: (1) planning, (2) recruitment and selection, (3) development and training, (4) performance assessment, (5) compensation and rewards. Thus, teaching and educational staff in an Islamic perspective not only aim to achieve organizational effectiveness, but also to form individuals who are professionally and spiritually qualified.

The moral roots of household waste-sorting attitudes and intentions in China

Previous environmental research used a general conceptualization of moral norms (e.g., it is my moral obligation to recycle) without specifying the exact moral underpinning of such a conceptualization. This analysis examined how five basic moral foundations (i.e., harm, fairness, ingroup loyalty, authority, and purity) were associated with Chinese residents’ waste-sorting attitudes and intentions. This analysis used data from a cross-sectional online survey of 459 Chinese residents conducted in 2021. The results revealed that value-expressive attitudes were a fairly strong predictor of waste-sorting intentions, whereas attitudes about inconvenience and time were a weak predictor. Further analysis of direct and total relationships revealed that the moral foundations of ingroup loyalty and authority were the primary moral foundations for the Chinese participants; the effects were both direct and mediated by the value-expressive attitudes. Using detailed attitudinal and moral foundations can provide explanatory adequacy and specificity for environmental research and education efforts.

Education’s primary motive of overall human development in India: Case based perspective of Dayalbagh Educational Institute

The Indian higher education system faces significant challenges in integrating value-based education, sustainability, and consciousness, often prioritizing academic achievements over holistic development. This case-based research explores how Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) effectively addresses these challenges by incorporating sustainability, value, and consciousness into its educational framework. DEI was selected for its distinctive approach, which emphasizes moral and social responsibility, fostering not only academic success but also the ethical development of students. The study draws on document analysis and observations to illustrate how DEI’s educational practices serve as a model for other institutions. The research underscores the urgent need for educational reforms in India that go beyond traditional metrics of success, addressing the gaps in moral education and sustainable practices. By fostering critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and social responsibility, DEI demonstrates how an education system can prepare students for future challenges while promoting a deeper consciousness about their role in society. The findings suggest that integrating value-based education with sustainability and consciousness not only enhances students’ holistic development but also contributes to broader goals of national development. DEI’s model offers practical insights and evidence for other educational institutions to adopt similar strategies, ensuring that future generations are better equipped to address societal challenges with a strong ethical foundation. This research thus provides a comprehensive view of the essential elements needed in modern education to create responsible and conscious global citizens.

Researching moral foundations using the Bayesian approach

Moral foundations theory describes a complex space of human morality along five moral foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, and sanctity/degradation. The first aim of this study is to explore the role of socio-demographic variables in endorsing the five moral foundations and to provide insight into the role of moral foundations in attitudes towards homeless people. The second objective of the study is to provide an example of employing the Bayesian statistical approach. There were 162 participants in our study (27% male, mean age 36 years). Convenience sampling method was used. Age and education found to be the most important predictors of moral foundations, with Bayesian factors showing the strongest evidence for age as a positive predictor of moral foundations. Gender, political affiliation, care and authority were found to be important predictors of attitudes towards homeless people, with Bayesian factors showing much stronger evidence for moral foundations than sociodemographic variables. This study lays the groundwork for research on moral foundations in Slovenian samples and provides a practical example of Bayesian approach application in social science.

College Educated Religious Conservatives’ Support for Capital Punishment

Abstract Higher education is associated with reduced support for capital punishment among white Americans. Conservative religion, however, is associated with moral foundations and schemas that lead to greater support for capital punishment, which we expect moderate the association between education and views of capital punishment. Using nationally representative survey data, we found that the negative association between higher education and support for the death penalty was attenuated for white religious conservatives. This finding did not apply to nonwhite Americans. We conclude with a discussion of how the moral worldview associated with conservative religion may affect the future of capital punishment, by addressing how the association between higher education and views of capital punishment is contingent on other individual and contextual factors, and by situating the results within the contemporary American context that is characterized by political polarization and the decline of religion.