An Examination of Aggression and Adaption Traits with Moral Foundation

ABSTRACT

Moral Foundation Theory forwards that morality is a traitlike disposition that guides one's behaviors, attitudes, and communication. This study examined the relationship between participants' moral foundations and their aggressive and adaptation communication traits. Results of this study suggest that the foundations that concern others (i.e., harm/care and fairness/reciprocity) were associated negatively to verbal aggressiveness, argumentativeness, and Machiavellianism and associated positively with responsiveness, assertiveness, and cognitive flexibility. The foundations that concern socially binding constructs (i.e., in-group/loyalty, authority/respect, and purity/sanctity) were negatively related to Machiavellianism and cognitive flexibility.

Keywords:

• Argumentativeness
• Cognitive Flexibility
• Machiavellianism
• Moral Foundations Theory
• Verbal Aggressiveness

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gregory A. Cranmer

Gregory A. Cranmer (PhD, West Virginia University, 2015) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Columbus State University.

Matthew M. Martin

Matthew M. Martin (PhD, Kent State University, 1992) is a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University. WV.