Understanding the functional basis of moral conviction: Is moral conviction related to personal and social identity expression?

Abstract

The degree to which one experiences an attitude as a moral conviction is associated with a host of consequences, such as charitable giving, volunteerism, political engagement, resistance to compromise, intolerance of dissenting viewpoints, and acceptance of any means, including violence, to achieve morally preferred ends. Despite these profound ramifications, our understanding of the psychological functions of moral conviction remains limited. In three studies, we tested competing hypotheses about two possible functions of moral conviction: personal identity and social identity expression. Study 1 developed and validated personal and social identity function measures in a U.S. sample and provided an initial test of hypotheses (N=320). Study 2 further validated these measures and tested whether cultural mindset moderated the relationship between identity functions and moral conviction in a U.S. sample (N=364). Study 3 tested hypotheses cross-culturally (i.e., using U.S. and Indian samples, N=300). The personal identity function uniquely predicted moral conviction in all three studies and across six issue domains, whereas the social identity function did not (Studies 1–3). Surprisingly, neither cultural mindset (i.e., an independent and interdependent self-construal or endorsement of the individualizing or binding moral foundations) nor culture moderated these results.