Does stress alter everyday moral decision-making?
Recent studies in the field of neuropsychological decision-making as well as moral psychology emphasize the role of emotions in decision-making. The current study examines whether stress affects moral decision-making. We induced stress in 20 participants with the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and also examined 20 participants in a control condition (Placebo TSST). The level of stress was assessed with questionnaires and endocrine markers (salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase). All participants performed a moral decision-making task in which everyday moral dilemmas were described. Dilemmas varied in emotional intensity and each offered a rather egoistic and a rather altruistic option. Results show that groups did not differ significantly in everyday moral decision-making. However, cortisol responses and egoistic decision-making in emotional dilemmas were positively correlated. Our results indicate that stress per se does not cause more egoistic decision-making in the current setting but suggest an association between the individual's cortisol stress response and egoistic decision-making in high-emotional situations.
Starcke
Katrin
K
Department of General Psychology: Cognition, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany. katrin.starcke@uni-due.de
Polzer
Christin
C
Wolf
Oliver T
OT
Brand
Matthias
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010919:Placebos; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D010919:Placebos; D006854:Hydrocortisone