The illusion of moral superiority: Evidence from the energy crisis
研究利用2022/23年德国能源危机期间的调查数据，发现人们倾向于认为自己的节能行为比他人更出于道德动机，而非经济动机，证实了道德优越感的错觉现象。
We provide evidence in line with the illusion of moral superiority, a phenomenon that individuals perceive themselves to be more morally motivated than others. We analyze survey data collected during the 2022/23 energy crisis in Germany to investigate individuals’ and others’ motivations to reduce gas consumption, including both financial and non-financial (or ‘moral’) motives. Across two studies, we find evidence for the illusion of moral superiority: participants, on average, attribute stronger moral motives to their own savings compared to those of others.