Cited by 13Psychology of Moral and Emotional JudgmentEmotions and Moral BehaviorAction Observation and Synchronization

Experiencing Physical Pain Leads to More Sympathetic Moral Judgments

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Xiao, Qianguo, Zhu, Yi, Luo, Wen-bo·2015·PLOS ONE

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that observing another's pain can evoke other-oriented emotions, which instigate empathic concern for another's needs. It is not clear whether experiencing first-hand physical pain may also evoke other-oriented emotion and thus influence people's moral judgment. Based on the embodied simulation literature and neuroimaging evidence, the present research tested the idea that participants who experienced physical pain would be more sympathetic in their moral judgments. Study 1 showed that ice-induced physical pain facilitated higher self-assessments of empathy, which motivated participants to be more sympathetic in their moral judgments. Study 2 confirmed findings in study 1 and also showed that State Perspective Taking subscale of the State Empathy Scale mediated the effects of physical pain on moral judgment. These results provide support for embodied view of morality and for the view that pain can serve a positive psychosocial function.

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  1. [68]Mancini A, Betti V, Panasiti MS, Pavone EF, Aglioti SM (2011) Suffering makes you egoist: acute pain increases acceptance rates and reduces fairness during a bilateral ultimatum game. PloS one 6: e26008 10.1371/journal.pone.0026008 22022492 PMC3192138 · DOI

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Authors
Xiao, Q., Zhu, Y., & Luo, W.-B.
Affiliations
  • Inner Mongolia Normal University (CN)
  • Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (CN)
Corresponding author
Zhu, Yi
Venue
PLOS ONE
Published
2015-10-14
Volume
10
Issue
10
Pages
e0140580
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2205409818
Cited by
13
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2
FWCI
0.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (31000503, 31170984)
  • Chongqing University
  • Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
Keywords
bodily pain, moral judgment, empathy, embodied simulation, perspective taking
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Emotions, Empathy, Female, Humans, Judgment, Male, Morals, Pain, Case-Control Studies, Young Adult

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