Listen to your heart: When false somatic feedback shapes moral behavior.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0029549
• Publication Date: 2012-08-13T19:29:16Z
• Authors: Jun Gu; Chen-Bo Zhong; Elizabeth Page-Gould
• Keywords: Heart beat; Lying

A pounding heart is a common symptom people experience when confronting moral dilemmas. The authors conducted 4 experiments using false feedback paradigm to explore whether and listening fast (vs. normal) heartbeat sound shaped ethical behavior. Study 1 found that perceived increased volunteering for just cause. 2 extended this effect transgressions showed reduced lying self-gain. Studies 3 explored the boundary conditions of had less influence on deception are mindful or approach decision deliberatively. These findings suggest physiological heartbeats may signal greater distress in situations hence motivate take high road.