In this lab-based experiment (N = 185, Tilburg University students) we tested the effect of anticipatory stress on moral condemnation. The data covers severity ratings for vignettes of two content... Show moreIn this lab-based experiment (N = 185, Tilburg University students) we tested the effect of anticipatory stress on moral condemnation. The data covers severity ratings for vignettes of two content types: vignettes with an inherent disgust-eliciting element (e.g., eating human flesh) and without (e.g., lying on a resume), filled out on computers using the survey platform Qualtrics. Participants in the anticipatory stress condition rated the vignettes as more morally wrong, and disgust-eliciting vignettes were rated as more morally wrong. No moderation by disgust content was found. Private Body Consciousness (PBC) was positively associated with condemnation for disgust-eliciting vignettes (but not with non-disgust-eliciting vignettes). The data can be used, for example, in research on incidental vs. inherent emotions, to identify the strength of induced emotions on judgments, and to identify moderators (e.g., PBC). Show less
Dijke, M.H. van; Houwelingen, G.G. van; Cremer, D. de; Schutter, L. de 2017
People morally evaluate norm violations that occur at various distances from the self (e.g., a corrupt politician vs. a cheating spouse). Yet, distance is rarely studied as a moderator of moral... Show morePeople morally evaluate norm violations that occur at various distances from the self (e.g., a corrupt politician vs. a cheating spouse). Yet, distance is rarely studied as a moderator of moral judgment processes. We focus on the influence of disgust on moral judgments, as evidence here has remained inconclusive. Based on feelings as information theory and the notion that disgust evolved as a pathogen avoidance mechanism, we argue that disgust influences moral judgment of psychologically distant (vs. near) norm violations. Studies 1 and 3 show that trait disgust sensitivity (but not trait anger and fear) more strongly predicts moral judgment of distant than near violations. Studies 2 and 4 show that incidental disgust affects moral judgment of distant (vs. near) violations and that the moderating role of distance is mediated by involvement of others (vs. the self) in the evaluator’s conceptualization of the violation. Show less
