Emotions in Time: Moral Emotions Appear More Intense with Temporal Distance

Agerström, Jens; Björklund, Fredrik; Carlsson, Rickard

doi:10.1521/soco.2012.30.2.181

Cited by 32 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…Out of these, 13 studies showed empirical evidence that representing objects or events as high-level construals or as psychologically distant is directly associated with stronger moral judgments and increased moral behavior (Agerström & Björklund, 2009a, 2009bAgerström, Björklund, & Carlsson, 2012Choi, Park, & Oh, 2012;Eyal et al, 2008;Napier & Luguri, 2013;Nordhall & Agerström, 2013;Rixom & Mishra, 2014;Tumasjan, Strobel, & Welpe, 2011;van Houwelingen, van Dijke, & de Cremer, 2015;Yi, Charlton, Porter, Carter, & Bickel, 2011). Two studies showed opposing results such that low-level construals and psychological proximity elicited stronger moral judgment and increased moral behavior (Gong & Medin, 2012;Lammers, 2012).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A study focusing on the emotional underpinnings of moral judgment in relation to CLT was conducted by Agerström et al (2012). The results of this study showed that when people predict their reactions to temporally distant events, they experience moral emotions (e.g., guilt, shame) more intensely than when they predict their reactions to temporally close events.…”

Section: Abstract Thinking Leads To Stronger Moral Judgmentsmentioning

confidence: 94%

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Construal Level Theory and Moral Judgments: How Thinking Abstractly Modifies Morality

Mårtensson

2017

Journal of European Psychology Students

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Research based on construal level theory has shown that whether objects and events are construed as abstract or concrete is a major factor in influencing people's moral judgments. The aim of this literature review is to describe and evaluate empirical research that has investigated the relationship between construal level and moral judgments. Although most reviewed studies show that abstract thinking leads to stronger moral judgments, inconsistencies exist and gaps in the literature remain. This is due to methodological limitations and differences in theoretical standpoints, which will subsequently be discussed. Suggestions for future research are offered.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Abstract Thinking Leads To Stronger Moral Judgmentsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Construal Level Theory and Moral Judgments: How Thinking Abstractly Modifies Morality

Mårtensson

2017

Journal of European Psychology Students

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“…Although we did vary our manipulation somewhat across studies, other variations could manipulate vicarious [16], or collective guilt [17], or examine whether the anticipation of future guilt shows similar, weaker, or stronger effects [37], [38]. Finally, in Study 4 we examined how the weight of guilt affected perceptions of effort to complete physical acts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Weight of a Guilty Conscience: Subjective Body Weight as an Embodiment of Guilt

Day

Bobocel

2013

PLoS ONE

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Guilt is an important social and moral emotion. In addition to feeling unpleasant, guilt is metaphorically described as a “weight on one's conscience.” Evidence from the field of embodied cognition suggests that abstract metaphors may be grounded in bodily experiences, but no prior research has examined the embodiment of guilt. Across four studies we examine whether i) unethical acts increase subjective experiences of weight, ii) feelings of guilt explain this effect, and iii) whether there are consequences of the weight of guilt. Studies 1–3 demonstrated that unethical acts led to more subjective body weight compared to control conditions. Studies 2 and 3 indicated that heightened feelings of guilt mediated the effect, whereas other negative emotions did not. Study 4 demonstrated a perceptual consequence. Specifically, an induction of guilt affected the perceived effort necessary to complete tasks that were physical in nature, compared to minimally physical tasks.

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“…For instance, research has explored psychological distance in the context of recycling (Agerström & Björklund, 2009a;Agerström, Björklund, & Carlsson, 2012;Fessel, 2011) and environmental concerns (Agerström & Björklund, 2009a). This research has, however, been limited to the exploration of temporal distance (Agerström & Björklund, 2009a;Agerström et al, 2012;Fessel, 2011), social distance (Agerström et al, 2012), moral dilemmas (Agerström & Björklund, 2009a;Agerström et al, 2012), anticipated (Agerström & Björklund, 2009a or self-reported behaviour (Fessel, 2011). Furthermore, research has highlighted the potential social bias in self reported environmental behaviour (e.g., Auger & Devinney, 2007;Beckmann, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recycling today, sustainability tomorrow: Effects of psychological distance on behavioural practice

Schill

Shaw

2016

European Management Journal

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Much research has reported an attitude-behaviour gap in ecological behaviours. This research seeks to contribute important insights to this literature through a study that uses construal level theory (CLT) to understand the role and impact of psychological distance in explaining sustainable and recycling behaviours. Using a qualitative approach, the research found that consistency between mental construal and all dimensions of psychological distance was pertinent to recycling and sustainable behaviours. While theoretically CLT suggests there should be consistency across psychological distance dimensions and mental construal, there is limited research that explores all distance dimensions. Further, highlighted was the need for a near distance perspective to move individuals to behavioural action. Contrary to previous research, this served to facilitate rather than inhibit behavioural action. Finally, the results suggest that where sustainable behaviours are facilitated and/or required engagement in behaviour can be increased. These findings are important for public policy by highlighting the need to represent recycling behaviour in terms of temporal, spatial, social and hypothetical closeness. IntroductionResearch has consistently revealed widespread awareness and concern for ecological issues in a consumer context (e.g., Kilbourne & Beckmann, 1998;Polonsky, Vocino, Grau, Garma, & Ferdous, 2012;Rondinelli & Berry, 2000;Szekely & Knirsch, 2005;Steger, 2000;Van Wijk & Persoon, 2006). However, researchers are also challenged by the gap between ecological attitudes and corresponding behaviour (e.g., Carrigan & Attalla, 2001;Moraes, Carrigan & Szmigin, 2012;Papaoikonomou, Ryan, & Ginieis, 2011;Young, Hwang, McDonald, & Oates, 2010) across a range of sustainable behaviours, including recycling (e.g., Kok & Siero, 1985;Nigbur, Evanthia, & Uzzell, 2010).Sustainability and recycling behaviour are interrelated, with recycling viewed as a key issue in sustainability (Fuller, Allen, & Glaser, 1996) and dominantly as a proenvironmental consumer behaviour (e.g., Barr & Gilg, 2005;Steg & Vlek, 2009;Welfens, Nordmann, & Seibt, 2015). As such, we understand recycling, among others, as a behaviour that may offer one fruitful pathway to a more sustainable consumer society. The Brundtland report defines sustainability as "a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (Brundtland Report, 1987, 1). Here we find a discourse which seeks to motivate individuals' consumption via future-oriented arguments, where some present inconvenience is associated with long-term benefits to others.Recycling is part of this discourse. Recycling "involves systematically converting specific types of waste into useful resources by breaking down objects into their 3 constituent parts, which are then reused" (Brosius, Fernandez, & Cherrier, 2013, 288).Engaging in recycling now should have future benefits. Questioned, however, is the extent to which this "future-for-...

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Emotions in Time: Moral Emotions Appear More Intense with Temporal Distance

Cited by 32 publications

References 47 publications

Construal Level Theory and Moral Judgments: How Thinking Abstractly Modifies Morality

Construal Level Theory and Moral Judgments: How Thinking Abstractly Modifies Morality

The Weight of a Guilty Conscience: Subjective Body Weight as an Embodiment of Guilt

Recycling today, sustainability tomorrow: Effects of psychological distance on behavioural practice

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