Youssef, F.F., Dookeeram, K., Basdeo, V., Francis, E., Doman, M., Mamed, D., Maloo, S., Degannes, J., Dobo, L., Ditshotlo, P., & Legall, G. (2012). Stress alters personal moral decision making. Psychoneuroendocrinology.  Doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.07.017. 

Stress alters personal moral decision making 

Xavier University

Previous research has illustrated that emotional processing plays a role in moral decision making. Brain areas such as the amygdala, hippocampus, the anterior cingulate cortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which play important roles in emotional processing when activated, also can potentially play a role in moral decision making. By extension, stress has been seen to play a role as well. 

Impact of Stress on Moral Decision-Making: Emotional Processing 

Impact of Stress on Moral Decision Making References 

When someone experiences stress, an individual’s brain responds by triggering the activation of the hypothalamus which activates the hypothalamo- pituitary-adrenal axis. This in turn releases the hormone cortisol which impacts the central nervous system and the system. The limbic system includes many of the brain structures responsible for emotional processing (which have been seen to impact moral decision making) such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex. 

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