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In a very different voice: unmasking moral hypocrisy
C D Batson1, D Kobrynowicz, J L Dinnerstein
1Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence 66045, USA.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Participants often claim to be moral but act selfishly when given the chance. This study reveals a tendency towards moral hypocrisy, where individuals prioritize personal gain while appearing ethical.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Moral Psychology
Background:
- Individuals often face ethical dilemmas involving self-interest versus fairness.
- Understanding the discrepancy between moral judgments and behavior is crucial in social psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenomenon of moral hypocrisy in a controlled experimental setting.
- To examine whether participants prioritize self-benefit over ethical considerations when faced with choices involving positive and negative outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Three studies involving 80 female undergraduates were conducted.
- Participants decided whether to assign themselves or another participant to a positive consequences task or a dull task.
- Moral strategies like coin flipping or experimenter assignment were introduced in later studies.
Main Results:
- In the absence of explicit moral guidance, a majority assigned themselves the better task.
- Even when moral strategies were suggested, participants often found ways to benefit themselves.
- Participants were more likely to accept experimenter assignments that favored them.
Conclusions:
- Results indicate a prevalent motivation to appear moral while simultaneously seeking personal advantage.
- The findings support the concept of moral hypocrisy, where behavior contradicts stated moral beliefs.
- This highlights the complex interplay between self-perception, social desirability, and actual ethical conduct.