Abstract
Purpose: The nature of moral decision-making in those with pronounced psychopathic traits has been passionately debated, both in scientific literature and in the public policy arena. Research investigating the relationship between psychopathic traits and moral decision-making capacities has been largely inconclusive. However, recent research suggests individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may exhibit abnormal moral intuitions regarding the prevention of harm (Harm) and promotion of fairness (Fairness). Although moral intuitions are widely assumed to be related to moral judgement, no research has simultaneously examined the relations among psychopathy, moral intuition, and moral judgement. Methods: We hypothesized that psychopathic traits would not be directly related to moral judgement outcomes but would be indirectly related by way of Harm and Fairness moral intuitions. To test these hypotheses, 121 undergraduate students and 205 community residents, across two studies, completed measures of psychopathy, moral intuitions, and moral judgement. Results: Higher psychopathy scores were associated with decreased concerns about preventing harm and promoting justice across both samples. Individuals higher in psychopathic traits did not evidence deficits in moral judgement. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that, although individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may organize their sense of morality differently, they can accurately discern moral from immoral decisions.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 117-134 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Legal and Criminological Psychology |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1 2018 |
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Keywords
- antisocial behaviour
- moral intuitions
- moral judgement
- psychopathy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Applied Psychology
Cite this
Relations among psychopathy, moral competence, and moral intuitions in student and community samples. / Gay, Jeremy G.; Vitacco, Michael J; Hackney, Amy; Beussink, Courtney; Lilienfeld, Scott O.
In: Legal and Criminological Psychology, Vol. 23, No. 2, 01.09.2018, p. 117-134.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Relations among psychopathy, moral competence, and moral intuitions in student and community samples
AU - Gay, Jeremy G.
AU - Vitacco, Michael J
AU - Hackney, Amy
AU - Beussink, Courtney
AU - Lilienfeld, Scott O.
PY - 2018/9/1
Y1 - 2018/9/1
N2 - Purpose: The nature of moral decision-making in those with pronounced psychopathic traits has been passionately debated, both in scientific literature and in the public policy arena. Research investigating the relationship between psychopathic traits and moral decision-making capacities has been largely inconclusive. However, recent research suggests individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may exhibit abnormal moral intuitions regarding the prevention of harm (Harm) and promotion of fairness (Fairness). Although moral intuitions are widely assumed to be related to moral judgement, no research has simultaneously examined the relations among psychopathy, moral intuition, and moral judgement. Methods: We hypothesized that psychopathic traits would not be directly related to moral judgement outcomes but would be indirectly related by way of Harm and Fairness moral intuitions. To test these hypotheses, 121 undergraduate students and 205 community residents, across two studies, completed measures of psychopathy, moral intuitions, and moral judgement. Results: Higher psychopathy scores were associated with decreased concerns about preventing harm and promoting justice across both samples. Individuals higher in psychopathic traits did not evidence deficits in moral judgement. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that, although individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may organize their sense of morality differently, they can accurately discern moral from immoral decisions.
AB - Purpose: The nature of moral decision-making in those with pronounced psychopathic traits has been passionately debated, both in scientific literature and in the public policy arena. Research investigating the relationship between psychopathic traits and moral decision-making capacities has been largely inconclusive. However, recent research suggests individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may exhibit abnormal moral intuitions regarding the prevention of harm (Harm) and promotion of fairness (Fairness). Although moral intuitions are widely assumed to be related to moral judgement, no research has simultaneously examined the relations among psychopathy, moral intuition, and moral judgement. Methods: We hypothesized that psychopathic traits would not be directly related to moral judgement outcomes but would be indirectly related by way of Harm and Fairness moral intuitions. To test these hypotheses, 121 undergraduate students and 205 community residents, across two studies, completed measures of psychopathy, moral intuitions, and moral judgement. Results: Higher psychopathy scores were associated with decreased concerns about preventing harm and promoting justice across both samples. Individuals higher in psychopathic traits did not evidence deficits in moral judgement. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that, although individuals with elevated psychopathic traits may organize their sense of morality differently, they can accurately discern moral from immoral decisions.
KW - antisocial behaviour
KW - moral intuitions
KW - moral judgement
KW - psychopathy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85044365594&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85044365594&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/lcrp.12128
DO - 10.1111/lcrp.12128
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85044365594
VL - 23
SP - 117
EP - 134
JO - Legal and Criminological Psychology
JF - Legal and Criminological Psychology
SN - 1355-3259
IS - 2
ER -