The Illusion of Moral Superiority: Evidence from the Energy Crisis
Zusammenfassung
We provide evidence in line with the illusion of moral superiority, a phenomenon that individuals perceive themselves to be more morally motivated than others. We analyze survey data collected during the 2022/23 energy crisis in Germany to investigate individuals’ and others’ motivations to reduce gas consumption, including both financial and non-financial (or ‘moral’) motives. Across two studies, we find evidence for the illusion of moral superiority: participants, on average, attribute stronger moral motives to their own savings compared to those of others.
Schlüsselwörter
energy prices; motivation; energy savings; behavioral economics
Zitieren als
Dertwinkel-Kalt, M., Feldhaus, C., Ockenfels, A., & Sutter, M. (2025). The Illusion of Moral Superiority: Evidence from the Energy Crisis. European Economic Review. (accepted / in press (not yet published))Details
Publikationstyp
Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift)
Begutachtet
Ja
Publikationsstatus
accepted / in press (not yet published)
Jahr
2025
Fachzeitschrift
European Economic Review
Sprache
Englisch
ISSN
0014-2921
DOI