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Serotonin transporter genotype (5-HTTLPR) predicts utilitarian moral judgments
Abigail A Marsh1, Samantha L Crowe, Henry H Yu
1Department of Psychology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America. aam72@georgetown.edu
Plos One
|October 15, 2011
Summary
Serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) genotype influences moral judgments. Individuals with the short allele show reluctance to endorse actions causing foreseen harm, impacting utilitarian decisions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Moral Psychology
Background:
- Moral judgment involves complex psychological and neurobiological processes.
- Recent research highlights the interplay between genetics and moral decision-making.
- The serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism is implicated in emotional regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of serotonin transporter (5-HTTLPR) genotype on responses to moral dilemmas.
- To determine if genetic variations affect judgments of actions involving foreseen harm to an innocent.
- To explore the relationship between 5-HTTLPR genotype and utilitarian moral decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Participants evaluated the acceptability of actions causing unintentional or intentional harm to save others.
- Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine genotype × scenario interactions.
- Moral judgments were compared across different 5-HTTLPR genotypes (LL, SL, SS).
Main Results:
- A significant genotype × scenario interaction was observed (F(2, 63) = 4.52, p = .02).
- Carriers of the short (S) allele exhibited greater reluctance to endorse utilitarian actions involving foreseen harm compared to long allele homozygotes (LL).
- No significant differences in moral judgments were found for scenarios involving intentional harm.
Conclusions:
- Inherited variations in the serotonin transporter gene influence utilitarian moral judgments.
- The short allele of 5-HTTLPR is associated with increased emotional responsiveness, potentially explaining reluctance towards foreseen harm.
- Genetic factors play a role in shaping individual differences in moral decision-making, particularly in scenarios with potential negative consequences.
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