Will the COVID-19 Pandemic Influence People’s Moral Beliefs and Behavior?

Abstract

Abstract Parasite-stress theory and moral foundations theory are rooted in an evolutionary psychology perspective. Together, these theories suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic might result in a “conservative shift” in people’s moral beliefs and behaviors, which in turn has implications for intergroup relations and punishment attitudes. In theory, conservative beliefs are an adaptive response to high rates of infectious diseases because they emphasize “tight-knit” ingroups and outgroup avoidance. The former provides a form of “insurance” for when infections do occur, and the latter functions to minimize exposure to infection. Although conservative beliefs might be an adaptive response, they are related to prejudicial and punitive behavior. Thus, one possible outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic is an increase in instances of outgroup bias/ingroup favoritism and increased support for punitive policies and actions, especially those targeting outgroup members. It is likely this conservative shift will be temporary. This chapter outlines the key concepts and assumptions of parasite-stress theory and moral foundations theory, applies these theories to conceptualizing a conservative shift and its consequences, and identifies hypotheses seated in these theories that future research can test.