The moral valence effect in causal judgment: From its cognitive underpinnings – CAUSE

The CAUSE project explores the moral valence effect in causal judgments, a phenomenon where the moral evaluation of an agent influences how one perceive them causally linked to a damage. It aims to characterize the cognitive and emotional underpinning this effect and to better understand the conditions under which the moral valence effect occurs. Given the potential implications for high-stakes situations like legal trials, the CAUSE project investigates the nature and origin of the moral valence effect and its boundary conditions, through four key axes. Axis 1 directly explores the cognitive and emotional processes that underlie the evaluation of moral valence in causal judgment. It examines the conflict between fast, automatic emotional responses and slower, deliberate reasoning processes and how individual differences in reasoning styles and cognitive reflection impact this effect. Axis 2 examines the role of emotions and inhibition in modulating the moral valence effect. Importantly, it will explore the effect in both neurotypical and patients with immoral behaviors, shedding light on the role of inhibition and emotional dysregulation. Axis 3 aims to clarify when the moral valence effect occurs, exploring some factors that shape the evaluation of a blameworthy agent (e.g., severity of harm inflicted, number of victims involved). Finally, Axis 4 investigates whether conversational factors contribute to the moral valence effect, focusing on the influence of question framing and source of judgment requests. The findings from the CAUSE project will provide valuable insights into the moral valence effect and its implications for causal judgment and serve as a springboard for research in the field of causal judgment in France. Ultimately, the findings may inform educational efforts to enhance critical thinking skills, aligning with the goals of the French Ministry of National Education.