We Need Deeper Understanding About the Neurocognitive Mechanisms of Moral Righteousness in an Era of Online Vigilantism and Cancel Culture.

Abstract

Cancel culture has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. It follows a typical process, usually unfolding on the internet: When a public figure says or does something considered offensive or pejorative to a given group (e.g., ethnic minorities, sexual/gender minorities, people with disabilities, women as minorities, and so forth), disparaging comments quickly pile up on social media, calling out the misconduct, withdrawing support for the person’s work/product, or using performative language to mock and shame the person believed to be responsible for the wrongdoing.