Perception of Moral Decline

In this podcast episode, the host discusses the perception that people were nicer in the past and how this belief is widespread despite the lack of evidence. The episode explores a study by psychologist Adam Mastriani, who found that people often talk about how everything is worse these days compared to the past. The study reveals that individuals tend to perceive a decline in kindness and trustworthiness over time, even though objective measures suggest otherwise. The perception of moral decline is seen across different age groups, genders, and educational backgrounds. The episode highlights the emotional resonance and power of the narrative that things used to be better, along with the political implications of this belief.