Morality From the Classroom to the Boardroom: Business Students, Moral Foundations, and Financial Risk

• In Event: 606 - Section on Social Psychology Roundtable Session (co-sponsored with Section on Sociology of Emotions)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 10. Gender

Abstract

Over the past two decades, Moral Foundations Theory has contributed greatly to our understanding of political differences in an era of increasing factionalism. In the ensuing research, a conflict of findings has emerged. This paper examines gender differences in moral foundations among business students, identifying a clear difference between female and male students. This finding directly contradicts a recent report, which is examined herein. I argue that women and men rely on the moral foundations in different patterns due to their different moral worldviews. As I demonstrate, these worldviews and their moral underpinnings have considerable impact for how men and women view financial risk and blame associated with the financial crisis, an important consideration for future business leaders. Reincorporating the individual moral foundations into comprehensive worldviews yields rich ground for future research.

Author

• Joshua R Bruce, Duke University