Will People’s Moral Standing Change Due to Social Pressure?

Abstract

Morality is considered an inherent and personal aspect of human behavior, but the influence of external factors, particularly social pressure, on moral standing remains a subject of debate. By adopting a qualitative-measured approach, about 50 high school or college students were selected randomly as participants for the experiment. They must fill out a survey with a few moral questions determining their view on specific issues. By comparing their responses before and after the seminar, the change in moral standings from participants can be reflected. The result demonstrates that approximately 68% of participants changed their decisions in a public setting compared to a private one. The results strongly suggest that social pressure plays a significant role in altering an individual’s moral standing. The implications of this study call for a deeper understanding of the psychological mechanisms that underscore moral decision-making in the context of societal influences and the potential consequences for community cohesion and individual well-being.