Regulatory focus as a predictor of omission bias in moral judgment: Mediating role of anticipated regrets. Issue 4 (3rd September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chung, Eun Kyoung; Kim, Soo Jung; Sohn, Young Woo
• Is Part Of: Asian journal of social psychology. Volume 17:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 302
• Page End: 311
• Publication Date: 2014-09-03
• Subjects: Social psychology -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Asia -- Periodicals; 302.095
• DOI: 10.1111/ajsp.12060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-2223

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Omission bias occurs when people are more reluctant to accept negative consequences caused by their actions than by their inaction. Recent research on omission bias in decision‐making has found evidence for individual differences, thus indicating that some people are more likely to show omission inclination than others. The present research aims to explore the role of regulatory focus as individual difference variables in omission bias. Moreover, we examine whether anticipated regret mediates the relationship between regulatory focus and moral judgement. Moral judgement tasks utilized include: (i) moral dilemma scenarios (Study 1); and (ii) ethical scenarios embracing apparent legal rule violations (Study 2). The results of both studies show that only prevention focus is significantly related to omission bias in moral judgement. Specifically, this relationship holds regardless of the nature of the 'omission' (whether they are deontological or utilitarian). In addition, anticipated regret/guilt for action was found to mediate the relationship between prevention focus and omission bias. Implications and limitations are discussed based on the results of the current study.</p> </abstract>