Jansen, Eline (2025) Performative Morality and Social Perception: Effects of Moral Grandstanding on Perceived Likability. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Effects2Bof2BMoral2BGrandstanding2Bon2BLikability2BFinal2BVersion-2.pdf Download (875kB) | Preview |
Abstract
This study investigates the social consequences of moral grandstanding, a recently defined concept, which refers to the use of public moral talk with the intention to gain status and social approval (Tosi & Warmke, 2016). It explores the effects of moral grandstanding on the perceived likability of a speaker and examines whether the observer’s agreeableness moderates this relationship. In a between-subjects experiment, participants were randomly assigned to read a neutral or moral grandstanding comment within a simulated online discussion on gene modification. Agreeableness was measured using self-assessment, and the likability of the commenter was rated after exposure to the experimental manipulation. A manipulation check confirmed that our manipulation was effective. Results showed that commenters in the moral grandstanding condition were perceived as significantly less likable than those in the control condition. Against expectations, agreeableness did not moderate this relationship. These findings underscore the interpersonal costs of moral grandstanding. Although individuals use strategic moral discourse to boost their own image, such behavior may instead provoke resentment and reduce their likability in others’ eyes.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Meerholz, E.W. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Jul 2025 14:19 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Jul 2025 14:19 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5375 |
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