The Dark Side of Morality: Prioritizing Sanctity Over Care Motivates Denial of Mind and Prejudice Toward Sexual Out-Groups (Monroe & Plant, in press)

Abstract

Moral values bind communities together and foster cooperation; yet, these same values can lead to the derogation and marginalization of outgroups. Five studies test a theoretical framework proposing that preferentially endorsing moral values of sanctity versus care (the sanctity-care tradeoff) produces a motivational bias whereby people perceive sexual outgroup members as less human. This denial of mind, in turn, legitimizes expressions of prejudice and discrimination toward sexual outgroups. Study 1 showed that natural variations in people’s moral values predicted denial of mind and prejudice. Study 2 replicated this pattern, examining political liberals and conservatives, and demonstrating that moral values and denial of mind help explain the relationship between personal politics and prejudice. Study 3 measured people’s moral values by examining people’s willingness to tradeoff a moral value for money and used this measure to predict denial of mind, prejudice, and decreased willingness to help transgender individuals. Study 4 used religion to boost sanctity values and found a corresponding increase in denial of mind and prejudice. Finally, Study 5 reduced denial of mind and prejudice by intensifying concerns about care. Together, these studies demonstrate that moral values importantly influence how people decide who possesses a mind and is entitled to moral rights, and who is mindless and allowed to be hurt or neglected.