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Clinical Trial
. 2016 Oct 10;11(10):e0164374.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164374. eCollection 2016.

Virtual Morality: Transitioning from Moral Judgment to Moral Action?

Kathryn B Francis  1 , Charles Howard  2 , Ian S Howard  2 , Michaela Gummerum  1 , Giorgio Ganis  1 , Grace Anderson  1 , Sylvia Terbeck  1
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Virtual Morality: Transitioning from Moral Judgment to Moral Action?

Kathryn B Francis et al. PLoS One. .

Erratum in

Abstract

The nature of moral action versus moral judgment has been extensively debated in numerous disciplines. We introduce Virtual Reality (VR) moral paradigms examining the action individuals take in a high emotionally arousing, direct action-focused, moral scenario. In two studies involving qualitatively different populations, we found a greater endorsement of utilitarian responses-killing one in order to save many others-when action was required in moral virtual dilemmas compared to their judgment counterparts. Heart rate in virtual moral dilemmas was significantly increased when compared to both judgment counterparts and control virtual tasks. Our research suggests that moral action may be viewed as an independent construct to moral judgment, with VR methods delivering new prospects for investigating and assessing moral behaviour.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Stereoscopic image showing a scene from the footbridge virtual dilemma through Oculus Rift head-mounted display.
The image is taken from the perspective of the agent at the end of the scenario in which the trolley car is about to collide with five virtual avatars standing on the tracks below. Participants are able to rotate in the virtual environment with voice commands included to ensure full understanding of the events being played out.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Responses (%) in the action condition and judgment condition in response to the footbridge dilemma.
In the judgment condition, participants were asked whether the action was morally acceptable and whether they would do it. A greater number of utilitarian outcomes were endorsed in the action condition
Fig 3
Fig 3. Mean heart rate change (bpm) for control and experimental tasks in both the judgment and action conditions.
Increased heart rate was observed in the virtual moral dilemma. Error bars represent +- 1 SE
Fig 4
Fig 4. Responses (%) in the action condition and judgment condition in response to the footbridge dilemma in Study 2.
In the judgment condition, participants were asked whether the action was morally acceptable and whether they would do it. A greater number of utilitarian outcomes were endorsed in the action condition.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Mean heart rate change (bpm) for control and experimental tasks in both the judgment and action conditions.
Heart rate change was significantly higher in the virtual moral dilemma. Error bars represent +- 1 SE
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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