Decision Making in Moral Judgment Context is Modulated by Individual Metacognition

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Social Cognition
• Moral Psychology

Background:

• Metacognition involves monitoring one's mental states and extends to social interactions.
• Metacognition and cognitive flexibility are linked to ideologically radical behaviors.
• Lack of control over mental activity may influence social cognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between metacognitive capacity and the radicality of moral choices.
• To explore how metacognition influences utilitarian versus deontological decision-making.
• To assess the correlation between metacognitive efficiency and moral choice consistency.

Main Methods:

• 76 participants evaluated 24 hypothetical moral dilemmas.
• Moral choice consistency (radicality) was assessed across scenarios.
• Metacognitive efficiency was measured in a separate experimental session.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between individual metacognition scores and the radicality of moral choices.
• Metacognition influences the extremity of decisions in moral dilemmas.
• Findings suggest metacognition plays a role in social decision-making with broader consequences.

Conclusions:

• Metacognition is a key factor influencing the radicality of moral judgments.
• Understanding metacognition is crucial for comprehending social decision-making and its consequences.
• Future research should explore metacognition's role in real-world environmental and social choices.