Moral Foundations Theory

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Moral foundations theory was first put forward by the psychologists jonathan height and jesse graham, who hypothesise that people don't realize they are unconsciously drawing on different moral foundations. Cultures around the world understand that one way to be a good person is to stand by those who stand with you. Many of us also intuitively feel that being a good person means standing up for fairness and justice.

Have you ever been in a position where you had to choose between someone you care about and a value that you hold dear? Maybe you had to decide whether to report a friend who was cheating on an exam, or a co-worker who was stealing from the tip jar. This week, we tell the story of a Detroit police officer who found himself in this sort of dilemma, forced to choose between people he loved and the oath he swore to serve his community. What happens in our minds when we have to decide what is right and what is wrong?

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