Document Detail


Virtual morality: Emotion and action in a simulated three-dimensional "trolley problem".
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22103331     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Experimentally investigating the relationship between moral judgment and action is difficult when the action of interest entails harming others. We adopt a new approach to this problem by placing subjects in an immersive, virtual reality environment that simulates the classic "trolley problem." In this moral dilemma, the majority of research participants behaved as "moral utilitarians," either (a) acting to cause the death of one individual in order to save the lives of five others, or (b) abstaining from action, when that action would have caused five deaths versus one. Confirming the emotional distinction between moral actions and omissions, autonomic arousal was greater when the utilitarian outcome required action, and increased arousal was associated with a decreased likelihood of utilitarian-biased behavior. This pattern of results held across individuals of different gender, age, and race. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved).
Authors:
C David Navarrete; Melissa M McDonald; Michael L Mott; Benjamin Asher
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-11-21
Journal Detail:
Title:  Emotion (Washington, D.C.)     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1931-1516     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Nov 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-11-22     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101125678     Medline TA:  Emotion     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
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