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"Lever pulling during trolley problem decisions"

Study on the Effect of Personal Force in Moral Decision-Making

Not Recruiting
100 years or below
All
Phase N/A
1 Location

Brief description of study.

The trolley problem is one of the most commonly used moral dilemmas in experimental psychology. Here we propose to measure the effect of the use of personal force during the decision using a lever instrument that records force used to pull the lever when making trolley problem decisions. We also propose to manipulate the force required to pull the lever with two springs on the lever, one more stiff than the other and measure how morally permissible participants judge the decisions.

Detailed description of study

The trolley problem is one of the most commonly used moral dilemmas in experimental psychology. Here we propose to measure the effect of the use of personal force during the decision using a lever instrument that records force used to pull the lever when making trolley problem decisions. We also propose to manipulate the force required to pull the lever with two springs on the lever, one more stiff than the other and measure how morally permissible participants judge the decisions.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: healthy
  • Age: 100 years or below
  • Gender: All

This study investigates the effect of personal force in moral decision-making using the trolley problem. The trolley problem is a well-known moral dilemma where individuals must decide whether to pull a lever to divert a trolley onto a track where it will cause less harm. In this study, participants will use a lever instrument that records the force used during their decision-making process.

Participants will experience different levels of force required to pull the lever, as the study manipulates the stiffness of the springs attached to the lever. One spring will be more stiff than the other, and the study will measure how this affects participants' judgments on the moral permissibility of their decisions.

  • Who can participate: Participants aged 18 and older, who have no physical disabilities affecting arm movement, are eligible to participate.
  • Study details: Participants will make decisions in the trolley problem scenario using a lever instrument. The study involves manipulating the force needed to pull the lever by using springs of differing stiffness.
Updated on 19 Feb 2024. Study ID: 1708958417

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