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Moral outrage in the digital age

Nature Human Behaviour volume 1, pages 769–771 (2017)Cite this article

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Moral outrage is an ancient emotion that is now widespread on digital media and online social networks. How might these new technologies change the expression of moral outrage and its social consequences?

Moral outrage is a powerful emotion that motivates people to shame and punish wrongdoers1. Moralistic punishment can be a force for good, increasing cooperation by holding bad actors accountable. But punishment also has a dark side — it can exacerbate social conflict by dehumanizing others2 and escalating into destructive feuds.

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Fig. 1: How digital media might transform moral outrage.
Fig. 2: Exposure to immoral acts and resulting moral outrage, online versus offline.

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  1. The Department of Psychology, Yale University, 2 Hillhouse Avenue, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    M. J. Crockett

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  1. M. J. Crockett
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Correspondence to M. J. Crockett.

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Crockett, M.J. Moral outrage in the digital age. Nat Hum Behav 1, 769–771 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-017-0213-3

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