Title

Will Moral Outrage Stand Up? Distinguishing Among Emotional Reactions to a Moral Violation

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2010

Publication Source

European Journal of Social Psychology

Abstract

Moral outrage—anger at violation of a moral standard—is claimed to be a prevalent and powerful moral emotion. However, evidence for moral outrage has been compromised by failure to distinguish it from personal anger—anger at harm to self—felt by victims of a moral violation. Although it does not seem possible to distinguish these two forms of anger by measurement, it is possible to do so by experimental manipulation of their distinct eliciting conditions. Extending previous research, the current study manipulated how a victim (self vs. stranger) was excluded (fairly vs. unfairly) from a favorable experience. Reported anger and behavioral retribution provided evidence of personal anger and revenge, not of moral outrage. These findings suggest that the prevalence and power of moral outrage has been exaggerated.

Inclusive pages

173-179

ISBN/ISSN

1099-0992

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Volume

41

Issue

2

Peer Reviewed

yes

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