Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
06:42
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
14.3K
Shifting liberal and conservative attitudes using moral foundations theory.
Martin V Day1, Susan T Fiske2, Emily L Downing3
1Princeton University, NJ, USA mday@fas.harvard.edu.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|October 8, 2014
Summary
Moral foundations influence political attitudes by strengthening existing beliefs for both liberals and conservatives. Framing issues with moral concerns can entrench political views, with some evidence for persuasion effects.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Political Psychology
- Moral Psychology
Background:
- Political opinions are rooted in moral concerns regarding right and wrong.
- Five moral foundations (harm, fairness, ingroup, authority, purity) are central to moral cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how moral foundations influence political attitudes of liberals and conservatives.
- To examine the entrenching and persuasion effects of moral framing on political stances.
Main Methods:
- Experimental studies were conducted to test the impact of moral foundation-based issue framing.
- Participants included liberals and conservatives exposed to different moral frames.
Main Results:
- Moral foundation-based frames strengthened existing political attitudes for both conservatives and liberals (entrenching hypothesis supported).
- Framing liberal issues with conservative moral foundations partially shifted conservatives' attitudes in a liberal direction (persuasion hypothesis partially supported).
Conclusions:
- Moral foundations play a significant role in shaping and reinforcing political attitudes.
- Issue framing based on moral foundations can entrench existing political views and, to a lesser extent, persuade individuals on counter-attitudinal issues.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
1.7K
Kohlberg's theory of moral development uses the Heinz dilemma — a thought experiment in which a man, Heinz, must decide whether to steal an unaffordable drug to save his dying wife — to illustrate the evolution of moral reasoning. This framework, divided into three levels with two stages, highlights how individuals' understanding of right and wrong becomes increasingly complex.
Pre-Conventional Level
At the pre-conventional level, morality is primarily driven by personal...
Pre-Conventional Level
At the pre-conventional level, morality is primarily driven by personal...
1.7K
01:25Motivational Bias
486
Cognitive bias results from limitations in thinking and information processing, leading to systematic errors in judgment. Conversely, motivational bias stems from personal desires or emotions, causing distortions in perception to align with self-interest. Motivational bias influences how individuals perceive and attribute causes to events, often shaped by personal needs, goals, and self-esteem preservation. This bias can distort judgment, leading to inaccurate assessments of success, failure,...
486
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
454
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
454
00:52Social Proof
24.9K
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
24.9K
01:25The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic
6.7K
In order to make good decisions, we use our knowledge and our reasoning. Often, this knowledge and reasoning is sound and solid. However, sometimes, we are swayed by biases or by others manipulating a situation. For example, let’s say you and three friends wanted to rent a house and had a combined target budget of $1,600. The realtor shows you only very run-down houses for $1,600 and then shows you a very nice house for $2,000. Might you ask each person to pay more in rent to get the...
6.7K
01:30Self Within Cultural Contexts
331
Cultural frameworks for understanding the self are often categorized into two broad orientations: individualism and collectivism. These paradigms influence how people define themselves, relate to others, and interpret their social worlds. Each orientation offers distinct perspectives on autonomy, responsibility, and the role of the individual within a community.Individualistic CulturesIn individualistic cultures like North America and Western Europe, identity is understood as autonomous and...
331