Abstract:

This study utilizes the Consequence, Norm, and Inaction (CNI) model to explore how the psychopathic traits impacts moral decision-making and the underlying mechanisms involved. A sample of 381 college students were recruited to participate, completing the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, the Perspective-Taking and Empathic Concern subscales of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, and providing moral judgments for a series of specifically designed moral dilemmas. The results indicate a positive correlation between psychopathy trait and utilitarian moral judgment. Moreover, the study demonstrates that affective empathy partially mediates the relationship between psychopathic trait and moral decision-making. The analysis of the CNI model reveals that the psychopathy traits promotes utilitarian moral judgment by decreasing sensitivity to moral norms (N parameter) and the preference for inaction over action (I parameter). Furthermore, the findings suggest that affective empathy only partially mediates the effect of psychopathy trait on sensitivity to moral norms (N parameter).

Key words: psychopathic traits, moral dilemma judgement, affective empathy, CNI model