TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - Using trait and moral theories to understand belief in pure evil and belief in pure good
JO  - Personality and individual differences
A1  - Webster, Russell J.
A1  - Morrone, Nicolette
A1  - Motyl, Matt
A1  - Iyer, Ravi
SP  - e110584
EP  - e110584
VL  - 173
IS  - 
N2  - People differ greatly in their beliefs in pure good (BPG) and beliefs in pure evil (BPE), but little is known about how people develop such beliefs. In two studies using nationwide convenience samples (Ns = 384 and 345), we used trait (Big 5; HEXACO) and moral (moral foundations theory; Kohlberg's theory of moral development) theories to uncover potential underpinnings of BPG and BPE. After controlling for demographics and ideology, traits (Agreeableness) and moral foundations (Care/Harm) reliably predicted BPG in both studies. The Big 5 and HEXACO more inconsistently predicted BPE, although lower Openness related to BPE across both studies. Greater endorsement of the Authority/Subversion and Sanctity/Degradation moral foundations uniquely predicted greater BPE across both studies. Further, BPE correlated with (but did not uniquely predict) lower postconventional moral thinking; BPG did not relate to postconventional moral thinking. These results should help researchers formulate more specified developmental pathways for BPE and BPG.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0191-8869
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110584
ID  - ref1
ER  -