Republicans and Democrats View Opponents as Less Moral: Study by Eli Finkel

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Political bias in moral evaluations
2. Fair play in political affiliations

A recent study found that both Republicans and Democrats view individuals with opposing political views as less moral, even when treated fairly. The research, conducted by psychology experts, aimed to understand the role of moral judgment in political polarization in the United States. Despite acts of kindness, participants still rated their political opponents as less moral. Interestingly, the study revealed no significant differences in party animosity and moral judgment between liberals and conservatives, suggesting that political polarization is bipartisan. The findings highlight the increasing political polarization in the US and the potential consequences of moral convictions leading to political violence. Future research will explore ways to mitigate this polarization through online interaction and understanding the psychological origins of morality in politics.

The Experiment Conducted in London

Recent research conducted in London has shed light on the deep-rooted political polarization in the United States. Both Republicans and Democrats in the UK regarded people with opposing political views as less moral than people in their own party. This shocking revelation came to light in experiments conducted by psychology researcher Eli Finkel and his colleagues at a prestigious institute in London.

Moral Judgment in the Ultimatum Game

The researchers utilized the Ultimatum Game to study the role of fairness in cooperation. This game allowed them to experimentally manipulate whether partisans were treated unfairly, fairly, or even kindly by political opponents. Participants in the study had no knowledge about the person they were playing with beyond party affiliation and how they played the game.

Findings and Implications

Despite fair or kind treatment, participants still rated political opponents as less moral. This harsh moral judgment was prevalent even among participants who did not identify as having strong political bias. The results of the study have significant implications for understanding political polarization and its impact on society.

The Growing Concern

The experiments conducted in London illustrate the magnitude of current political polarization in the United States. The increasing divide between Americans with different political opinions is a cause for concern, as it can lead to further societal fragmentation and discord. The researchers involved in the study are particularly worried about the potential for political polarization based on moral convictions to escalate into political violence.

Future Research and Solutions

Looking ahead, the researchers are focused on finding ways to mitigate political polarization through controlled scientific approaches. They are currently exploring how online interactions, such as those on social media platforms, can either foster or reduce psychological distance between partisans. Additionally, they are investigating the role of emotions like disgust in contributing to the moral component of partisan animosity and how evolutionary origins of morality may influence political polarization.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.