Moral judgment and emotions: Difficulty in identifying and measuring moral-related emotions

Abstract

This work addresses the difficulty in identifying and measuring emotions related to moral judgment. Two issues (emotion correspondence and translation issues) are discussed in terms of self-report methodology using scenarios and scales written in language. Self-report methodology has often been used in moral psychology. Based on the assumption regarding one-on-one correspondence of a moral domain and specific emotion, this methodology labels emotions with language. However, the mixed findings from the previous research suggest that the emotion correspondence issue should be discussed with caution. Additionally, labeling (i.e., translating) not only needs to select appropriate words, but also consider the culture. Other methodological perspectives are for example the physiological indices. Researchers rarely consider the extent of the scope of their own methodology, and what others having different perspectives can do with their methodology. They must listen to other sides, draw realistic pictures of each other’s theories and methodologies, and plan practical collaboration. In future, such efforts will contribute to a deeper understanding of the emotions involved in moral judgment.