title: Counterfactual and Factual Reflection: The Influence of Past Misdeeds on Future Immoral Behavior.
abstract: Though the decision to behave immorally is situated within the context of prior immoral behavior, research has provided contradictory insights into this process. In a series of experiments, we demonstrate that the effects of prior immoral behavior depend on how individuals think about, or reflect on, their immoral behavior. In Experiment 1, participants who reflected counterfactually on their prior moral lapses morally disengaged (i.e., rationalized) less than participants who reflected factually. In Experiment 2, participants who reflected counterfactually on their prior moral lapses experienced more guilt than those who reflected factually. Finally, in Experiments 3 and 4, participants who reflected counterfactually lied less on unrelated tasks with real monetary stakes than those who reflected factually. Our studies provide important insights into moral rationalization and moral compensation processes and demonstrate the profound influence of reflection in everyday moral life.
authors: a Quinnipiac University.
authors: Joseph P
authors: JP
authors: Gaspar
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Seabright
authors: Scott J
authors: SJ
authors: Reynolds
authors: Kai Chi
authors: KC
authors: Yam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009014:Morals; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D013850:Thinking
keywords: behavioral ethics; counterfactual reflection; moral compensation; moral disengagement