The partial nature of empathy in dilemma judgment task : Empathy with the victim predicts (non)utilitarian judgment

ジレンマ　ハンダン　カダイ　ニ　オケル　キョウカン　ノ　バイアス　コウリシュギ　ハンダン　ニ　オヨボス　エイキョウ　ニ　ツイテ

タカマツ, レイナ

Takamatsu, Reina

オオサカ ダイガク ダイガクイン ニンゲン カガク ケンキュウカ タイジン シャカイ シンリガク ケンキュウシツ

共感

危害の肯定

人身的ジレンマ

utilitarian judgment

psychopathy

empathy

harm aversion

sacrificial dilemma

The present study examined the effect of empathy on utilitarian judgment in sacrificial dilemmas by manipulating empathy with a victim. Results showed that participants who read a modified version of Footbridge dilemma in which the victim is described as a released convict were more willing to sacrifice him to save more people. In the empathy-inducing condition, participants performed a perspective-taking task to increase empathic concern for the victim and were less likely to make utilitarian judgment. These suggest that utilitarian judgment in high-conflict dilemmas is not only based on a calculation of greater good, but is also susceptible to interpersonal cues, such as empathy with the victim.