Anger and Disgust: Emotional Reactions to Racist and Violent Acts

Authors: Daniela Orellana, Dave Brocker

SUNY Campus: Farmingdale State College

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 15

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: Are there differences in the emotional mechanisms that underlie moral evaluations of harm-based and non-harm-based transgressions? Previous research has shown that motivation for an action can be a source of the subsequent evaluation of the action and blameworthiness of the actor, with all outcomes held constant. Seventy-four participants evaluated a fictitious factory manager who either caused physical harm to an employee or who made racist comments about an employee, rating their perceptions of moral character, moral judgment, and facial endorsements of anger and disgust. Consistent with moral psychology literature, participants reported stronger feelings of disgust toward the racist individual and greater anger toward the violent individual. Racist behavior was viewed as reflective of poor moral character, while violent behavior was seen as indicative of poor moral judgment. Additionally, participants believed violent individuals were more likely to reform over time and respond to social pressure compared to racist individuals who were more likely to be ostracized. These findings expand our understanding of how anger and disgust influence moral judgments and suggest that negative evaluations of actions may be time-locked and more malleable than those tied to character traits which are thought to be core traits of the individual. These findings also highlight the distinct differences of anger and disgust evaluations.