FREEDOM AND MORALITY: EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF CHOICE AND AUTONOMY ON MORAL ATTITUDES

Abstract

The current research draws from the self-determination theory (SDT) and explores the possible effects of choice and autonomy on moral attitudes. Specifically, SDT predicted that choice and autonomy would lead to a greater intrinsic motivation to assert beliefs, and consequently, a greater attitudinal deviation from the norm. On the other hand, individuals who experience a lack of choice and lower levels of autonomy, would be less willing to assert beliefs due to a lower intrinsic motivation, thus leading to lower levels of attitudinal deviation. Studies 1-3 produced conflicting experimental evidence that choice and autonomy affected moral attitude deviation. Study 4 used data from the World Values Survey, which spanned across 87 societies from 1981 ? 2009. Results indicated a significant relationship between perceived freedom and attitude deviation. Taken together, there was conflicting evidence that the self-determination theory perspective is at work, but would require further verification through replication.