Work

Moral Diversity Fosters Cultural Looseness and Reduces Norm Policing

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: How does moral diversity shape a community’s response to norm violations? Here, we argue that increased moral diversity may lead to greater tolerance for deviant behaviors and a lower propensity to enforce norms. In Studies 1 to 2, we examine two large-scale datasets, and in Studies 3 to 7, we conduct pre-registered controlled experiments ( N = 1,058), showing that people in more (versus less) morally diverse communities believe that the community’s norms are looser. In turn, norm violations are more accepted, and there is a reduced willingness to police transgressions. Our findings complement prior work on moral echo chambers and offer a new lens for understanding why communities and individuals differ in their tolerance of rule-breaking behavior.

Source: Social Psychological and Personality Science

DOI: 10.1177/19485506261429540

Authors: Merrick R. Osborne, Mohammad Atari

Institutions: Cornell University, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Language: English

Topic: Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900