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  • October 2022
  • Article
  • Current Opinion in Psychology

When Does Moral Engagement Risk Triggering a Hypocrite Penalty?

By: Jillian J. Jordan and Roseanna Sommers
  • Format:Electronic
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Abstract

Society suffers when people stay silent on moral issues. Yet people who engage morally may appear hypocritical if they behave imperfectly themselves. Research reveals that hypocrites can—but do not always—trigger a “hypocrisy penalty,” whereby they are evaluated as more immoral than ordinary (non-hypocritical) wrongdoers. This pattern reflects that moral engagement can confer reputational benefits, but can also carry reputational costs when paired with inconsistent moral conduct. We discuss mechanisms underlying these costs and benefits, illuminating when hypocrisy is (and is not) evaluated negatively. Our review highlights the role that dishonesty and other factors play in engendering disdain for hypocrites, and offers suggestions for how, in a world where nobody is perfect, people can engage morally without generating backlash.

Keywords

Hypocrite; Dishonesty; Social Issues; Moral Sensibility; Public Opinion; Perception

Citation

Jordan, Jillian J., and Roseanna Sommers. "When Does Moral Engagement Risk Triggering a Hypocrite Penalty?" Art. 101404. Special Issue on Honesty and Deception edited by Maurice E. Schweitzer, Emma Levine. Current Opinion in Psychology 47 (October 2022).
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About The Author

Jillian J. Jordan

Negotiation, Organizations & Markets
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More from the Authors
  • Giving-by-proxy Triggers Subsequent Charitable Behavior By: Samantha Kassirer, Jillian J. Jordan and Maryam Kouchaki
  • Punishing Without Looking for Reputational Gain By: Jillian J. Jordan and Nour S. Kteily
  • Virtuous Victims By: Jillian J. Jordan and Maryam Kouchaki
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