Moral Psychology

A large study has found that individuals with greater cognitive ability are less likely to endorse moral values such as compassion, fairness, loyalty, and purity. The results point to a consistent negative relationship between intelligence and moral intuitions.

Can you trust AI with your toughest moral questions? A new study suggests thinking twice. Researchers found large language models consistently favor inaction and "no" in ethical dilemmas.

Children who see themselves as moral tend to develop stronger social-emotional skills, and vice versa, according to new research in Cognition & Emotion that followed 500 children through the transition from kindergarten to first grade.

New research across three countries suggests that people view attractive individuals, especially women, as more moral—but this effect disappears when liking is accounted for. The findings highlight how emotional responses shape moral character judgments more than appearance alone.

A new study suggests that mindfulness doesn’t make everyone more helpful. People who see themselves as connected to others tend to be more generous when mindful, while highly independent individuals may become less inclined to help.

Researchers found that interoceptive awareness—the ability to sense internal bodily states—predicts whether people’s moral judgments match group norms. Brain scans revealed that resting-state activity in specific brain regions mediates this relationship.

Patriotism isn’t morally neutral. A recent study finds that different types of national pride align with distinct moral values—with uncritical patriotism tied to obedience over compassion.

A new study suggests that meaningful psychedelic experiences may broaden the range of beings people see as morally worthy.

New research shows that moral conviction speeds up political decision-making and activates emotional and cognitive brain regions—especially in people with lower self-awareness about their own judgment accuracy.

A new study suggests our moral leanings—whether utilitarian or Kantian—may be influenced more by genetics than by upbringing.

New research reveals that people judge women's bodies through a moral lens far more than men's, shaping societal restrictions on bodily autonomy. This bias may explain why women's choices—like appearance and health—often face greater scrutiny.

A large study failed to replicate previous findings suggesting infants prefer "helpers," questioning the idea of innate moral understanding and raising "blank slate" possibilities.

Lower-class Americans perceive their societal contributions as less significant than higher-class individuals due to a bias favoring “bridging help” (helping strangers) over “bonding help” (helping close others).

Reflecting on reasons for moral dilemma choices increases sensitivity to moral norms, but does not consistently affect sensitivity to consequences or preferences for action versus inaction.

Researchers found that oxytocin, delivered via nasal spray, increases feelings of guilt and shame and makes people less likely to harm others, even if it benefits others, highlighting its potential to enhance moral sensitivity and empathy.