The Interrelation of Punitiveness, Morality, and Socio-demographics

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between morality (in the form of the moral foundations theory) and punitiveness. Specifically, the aim of the study is to replicate earlier findings of Silver and Silver (2017), who found a positive correlation between the moral valuing of authority, loyalty, and purity (labelled together as the binding foundations), and punitiveness. Furthermore, they noted a negative correlation between the moral valuing of harm and fairness (labelled together as the individualising foundations), with punitiveness. In addition, this study includes an exploratory aim to evaluate the influence of socio-demographics on punitiveness, the binding, and individualising foundations. 133 participants responded to a survey, 58 of the participants identified themselves as ”Man” and 75 as ”Woman”. Using regression analysis we successfully replicated the earlier findings of Silver and Silver (2017). Furthermore, education level and age demonstrated a negative correlation with the binding foundations. A gender difference was also noted with women tending to score higher on the individualising foundation. Education level and age were also found to negatively correlate with punitiveness, although this correlation was rendered insignificant when the binding and individualising foundations were also included as predictors.