ORCID
- Charlesford, Jaysan: 0000-0001-5823-8976
Abstract
Research on morality has focused on differences in moral judgment and action. In this study, we investigated self-reported moral reasoning after a hypothetical moral dilemma was presented on paper, and moral reasoning after that very same dilemma was experienced in immersive virtual reality (IVR). We asked open-ended questions and used content analysis to determine moral reasoning in a sample of 107 participants. We found that participants referred significantly more often to abstract principles and consequences for themselves (i.e., it is against the law) after the paper-based moral dilemma compared to the IVR dilemma. In IVR participants significantly more often referred to the consequences for the people involved in the dilemma (i.e., not wanting to hurt that particular person). This supports the separate process theory, suggesting that decision and action might be different moral concepts with different foci regarding moral reasoning. Using simulated moral scenarios thus seems essential as it illustrates possible mechanisms of empathy and altruism being more relevant for moral actions especially given the physical presence of virtual humans in IVR.
DOI
10.3390/ijerph18158039
Publication Date
2021-07-29
Publication Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
18
Issue
15
ISSN
1661-7827
Embargo Period
2021-10-20
Organisational Unit
School of Psychology
First Page
8039
Last Page
8039
Recommended Citation
Terbeck, S., Charlesford, J., Clemans, H., Pope, E., Lee, A., Turner, J., Gummerum, M., & Bussmann, B. (2021) 'Physical Presence during Moral Action in Immersive Virtual Reality', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15), pp. 8039-8039. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158039
