When virtues are weaponized: Moral superiority aggravates outgroup dehumanization

ABSTRACT Moral superiority has been suggested to exacerbate intergroup relations. However, empirical studies testing the negative intergroup outcomes arising from moral superiority are limited, and the underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. We aimed to fill this research gap by examining whether and how moral superiority increases outgroup dehumanization. Five studies ( N = 1158) were conducted to test our proposition that moral superiority increases outgroup dehumanization via enhanced perceived ingroup status. Study 1 detected that moral superiority is positively associated with outgroup dehumanization, while perceived ingroup status accounts for this relationship. Then, Studies 2 and 3 revealed the causal effect of moral superiority on outgroup dehumanization, along with the mediating effect of perceived ingroup status. Afterward, Study 4 replicated the findings of Studies 2 and 3 with a minimal group paradigm and identified the downstream outgroup aggression. Finally, Study 5 showed that emphasizing equal intergroup status mitigates the effect of moral superiority on outgroup dehumanization. Together, our findings offered compelling evidence for the link between moral superiority and outgroup dehumanization, and for the mediating role of perceived ingroup status. We also suggested the crucial role of moral superiority in intergroup conflict perpetuation, and a potential strategy to mitigate its negative consequences.