Implicit Theories of Moral Character
Implicit Theories of Moral Character

Effects on Moral Evaluation and Distributive Preferences in Dictator Game

Summary/Abstract: Previous research documented the effect of beliefs about social order and immutability of moral character on moral evaluation. These beliefs amplify the orientation towards severe moral judg-ments, with a preference for retribution instead of rehabilitation. In the present study, we aimed to check for interactive effects of these beliefs on punishment and distributive preferences. We investigate whether social cynicism plays a role in this relation, since trust in institutions and people is a factor that may bias people’s definition of what is fair and what is not. We found that beliefs about the immutability of moral character accentuate the prosecutor mindset and generate greater attribution of blame.

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