Understanding the Divide: How Assumptions of Vulnerability Shape Liberal and Conservative Morality

A recent study published in the *Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin* reveals that both liberals and conservatives share a foundational concern for preventing harm, but they differ significantly in their assumptions about which groups are most vulnerable. Researchers, including Jake Womick from California State University, Bakersfield, and Emily Kubin from the University of Oxford, found that while both political ideologies agree on the importance of protecting marginalized groups and the environment, they diverge on the perceived vulnerability of these groups compared to those in power.

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The study involved multiple phases, including a primary study with 400 participants who rated moral scenarios involving various groups, such as illegal immigrants and the American flag. Findings indicated that political orientation influenced moral judgments, but perceptions of vulnerability were stronger predictors. The researchers identified four key themes of vulnerability: the environment, marginalized groups, powerful individuals (like police officers), and the divine. Liberals tended to view the environment and marginalized groups as highly vulnerable, while conservatives extended vulnerability to the powerful and divine.

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The research suggests that moral disagreements stem from differing views on who qualifies as a victim. For example, extreme liberals may see transgender individuals as highly vulnerable, whereas extreme conservatives perceive vulnerability as more evenly distributed across all groups. This divergence in vulnerability assumptions could explain why both sides disagree on various political issues, including immigration and climate change.

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Womick emphasized the importance of understanding these differing perceptions, stating, “Everyone views morality as a matter of harm, but those on the political left and right disagree about what groups are particularly vulnerable to harm.” The study challenges the traditional Moral Foundations Theory, which posits that liberals and conservatives operate on entirely different moral frameworks.

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Despite its insights, the study has limitations. The sample was predominantly White, raising questions about the applicability of the findings across diverse racial and cultural contexts. The researchers acknowledged that the U.S. political landscape is unique and that future studies should explore these vulnerability frameworks in different countries and among more varied demographic groups.

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Looking ahead, the researchers plan to expand their investigation to include how perceptions of moral agents—those who cause harm—differ between liberals and conservatives. This could provide further understanding of the moral landscape and the dynamics of political disagreement.

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• “However, recent advancements in morality research point to people across the ideological spectrum caring about the same moral concern — harm,” — Emily Kubin, Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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• “First, Across the political spectrum, people tend to agree on the relative vulnerability of groups (i.e., the rank order of each category of vulnerability). Both extreme liberals and conservatives viewed transgender people and immigrants as more vulnerable than police officers and CEOs. I think the unifying framework of perceived harm and these similar rankings across the political spectrum offer some common ground that might be useful for bridging political divides.” — Jake Womick, Assistant Professor

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This study sheds light on the complex interplay between political ideology and moral judgment, suggesting that a shared concern for harm exists, albeit with differing perceptions of who is most vulnerable.

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