Understanding How Moral Judgments Vary Across Cultures: Moderator Effects of Cultural Values, Social Axioms, and Tightness

• DOI: 10.1177/10693971251325292
• Publication Date: 2025-03-12T18:47:36Z
• Authors: Cleno Couto; Ronaldo Pilati; Regis K. Kakinohana
• Keywords: Moderation; Cultural Values

The tensions between individual rights and the common good have historically shaped law, politics, public policy. This study explores how cultural factors impact moral judgments worldwide. Focusing on personal force effect, which refers to physical involvement in harm influences judgments, we analyzed Cultural Value Orientations, Social Axioms, Tightness as potential moderators of relationship judgment. Using two cross-cultural datasets 23 countries 57 samples meta-analytic techniques, found that people generally view utilitarian actions more favorably when no is required. We also evidence Orientation Mastery, Axiom Dynamic Externality, moderate by reducing effect force. Despite criticisms sacrificial dilemmas, these findings underscore importance culture shaping suggest further research into realistic dilemmas emphasize relevance for policy, advocating informed decision-making societal debates.