Repository logo
 

I don’t want the money, I just want your time: how moral identity overcomes the aversion to giving time to pro-social causes

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Reed, A 
Finnel, S 
Aquino, K 
Levy, E 

Abstract

Four studies show that moral identity reduces people’s aversion to giving time—particularly as the psychological costs of doing so increase. In Study 1, we demonstrate that even when the cost of time and money are held equivalent, a moral cue enhances the expected self-expressivity of giving time—especially when it is given to a moral cause. We found that a moral cue reduces time aversion even when giving time was perceived to be unpleasant (Study 2), or when the time to be given was otherwise seen to be scarce (Study 3). Study 4 builds on these studies by examining actual giving while accounting for the real costs of time. In this study, we found that the chronic salience of moral identity serves as a buffer to time aversion, specifically as giving time becomes increasingly costly. These findings are discussed in terms of the time-versus-money literature and the identity literature. We also discuss policy implications for prosocial cause initiatives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)

Description

Keywords

Adult, Choice Behavior, Humans, Morals, Self Concept, Social Behavior, Social Identification, Time

Journal Title

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1939-1315
1939-1315

Volume Title

110

Publisher

American Psychological Association (APA)