Morals
Viewing Pornography Increases Unethical Behavior, According to New Research
It's possible that watching people perform sex acts can lead us to dehumanize others.
Do Unto Others? Sure—If They're in Our Social Circle
New research reports the moral imperative to help those in need is much weaker if the needy person in question is a stranger.
Are Smartphones Changing Our Moral Values?
New research suggests your ethics may depend upon your electronics.
How Scientific Progress Is Changing the Stem Cell Debate
The morality of human embryonic stem cell research has long been contentious, but new discoveries could end the controversy.
Morals Can Be Manipulated
New research suggests eye-tracking devices can be used to point us to one side or another of an ethical issue.
Who Is More Likely to Lie for Financial Gain?
New research from Canada points to certain personal characteristics associated with a greater likelihood of lying, such as being a business major.
Red ‘Facts,’ Blue ‘Facts’: The Psychology of Truthiness
New research finds our moral convictions strongly influence what facts we choose to believe regarding a given issue.
Red States, Blue States, Gray Matter
Researchers report people's attitudes toward moral issues can be traced in part to differences in the structure of their brains.
Explaining Liberals to Conservatives, and Vice-Versa
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt can tell you why you feel so righteous about your politics, but will you listen?
Scandals Do Drive Voters — When Abuse of Power Is Involved
New research finds financial scandals hurt politicians more than moral ones, and the public particularly frowns on abuses of power.
Cleanliness Cues Activate Conservative Attitudes
New research finds subtle reminders of cleanliness seem to shift people to the political right.
Anti-Gay Attitudes Undeterred by Golden Rule
Invoking the golden rule — the adage of “do unto others” — has no effect on Christians’ anti-gay attitudes, according to a new study.
Morals Authority
Liberals and conservatives conceive of morality in decidedly different ways. Jonathan Haidt has mapped out their competing ethical universes in hopes they can learn to peacefully coexist.