The means/side-effect distinction in moral cognition: A meta-analysis
1Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931, United States.
Cognition
|June 10, 2017
Summary
People distinguish between harms caused as a means versus a byproduct. A meta-analysis reveals this moral distinction is robust, but moderated by personal contact and force.
Area of Science:
- Moral Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Experimental research indicates a moral distinction between harms caused as a means versus a byproduct.
- This distinction influences debates on moral cognition, the Doctrine of Double Effect, and innate mental modules.
- Replication failures highlight the need to examine the robustness of the means/byproduct effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis to determine the robustness of the means/byproduct effect in moral judgments.
- To investigate moderators, such as personal contact, influencing the means/byproduct effect.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of 101 published and unpublished studies.
- Inclusion of 24,058 participants.
- Statistical analysis of effect sizes (standardized mean difference, standardized mean change, log odds ratio).
Main Results:
- A small overall difference was found between moral judgments of means and byproducts.
- The effect size was significantly moderated by personal contact, particularly involving personal force.
- The means/byproduct effect is present but sensitive to contextual factors.
Conclusions:
- The means/byproduct effect in moral judgment is real but not universally strong.
- Personal contact and the use of personal force are key moderators.
- Findings inform theories of moral cognition and the Doctrine of Double Effect.
Keywords:
Double effectIncidental dilemmasInstrumental dilemmasLinguistic analogyMeta-analysisMoral cognitionMoral dilemmasTrolley problemMore Related Videos
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