Seasonal Shifts: How Seasons Influence Our Moral Compass
Research shows that moral values are not static and can change with the seasons. A study of data from the US, Canada, and Australia revealed seasonal cycles in the endorsement of binding moral values, with peaks in spring and autumn and dips in midsummer and midwinter.
- Country:
- Canada
Vancouver, Canada - New research reveals that moral values, the guiding principles behind our perceptions of right and wrong, may fluctuate with changing seasons. A comprehensive study analyzed a decade of data from the United States, Canada, and Australia, focusing on the endorsement of core moral values.
The findings indicate no significant seasonal effect on individualizing values, which emphasize individual rights, but revealed a notable bimodal seasonal cycle in binding moral values. These values, which support group cohesion and traditions, showed peaks in spring and autumn and lows in midsummer and midwinter, aligning with patterns of perceived threat and anxiety.
These fluctuations hold substantial implications for societal norms, legal decisions, and even political outcomes, suggesting that seasonal cycles could influence public sentiments and actions in unexpected ways.
(With inputs from agencies.)