Moral Foundations and Rule-Breaking Behavior at Penn State University: An Analysis of the Role of Participation in Greek Life
Open Access
Author:
Sorensen, Rachel
Area of Honors:
Criminology
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Eric Silver, Thesis Supervisor Stacy Silver, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Morality Moral Foundations Theory Greek life Deviance Rule-Breaking Ethics Virtues Fraternity Sorority
Abstract:
Only a handful of studies have examined the relationship between students’ moral foundations and their rule-breaking behavior, and none have done so within the context of participation in Greek life. In the current study, I use a sample of 1,593 college students gathered in 2020 to test the hypotheses that students with stronger binding moral foundations - which places the group at the center of moral concern - will be more likely to join Greek life, that individuals with strong binding and individuals with strong individualizing moral foundations - which places the individual at the center of moral concern - will engage in fewer rule-breaking behavior, and that participation in Greek life will weaken the protective effects of the both types of moral foundations on rule-breaking behaviors. Results show support for the hypotheses that Greek life attracts participants with strong binding moral foundations. Results also show that strong individualizing moral foundations are associated with less rule-breaking behavior. Finally, results show that binding moral foundations were associated with more rule-breaking for both groups, not less, as was hypothesized. I conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings for future research on deviance and administrative policy in higher education.
