Inglorious sufferers: Motivational factors and moral foundations shape compassionate and helping reactions toward suffering norm transgressors

Abstract While previous research shows that people's reactions to others' suffering can vary, it remains unclear how these responses differ for targets who have previously transgressed, and which factors drive these changes. In two studies (total N = 899), this paper experimentally investigates how compassionate and helping reactions toward a suffering transgressor change depending upon: (a) the target’s motivation (altruistic vs egoistic vs control) for the transgression (Study 1); (b) the nature of the transgression in terms of moral foundation (Care vs Fairness) of the disrespected (vs respected) norm (Study 2). Study 1 supported the role of motivational factors: transgressing for altruistic purposes increased compassionate emotions toward the suffering target, compared to when the target’s motivation was egoistic or when no explanation for the target’s actions was provided. Study 2 showed that the Fairness (vs Care) norm, generated more extreme reactions: more negative when a target person violated the norm, more positive when they behaved in line with the norm. Additionally, in both studies, we also found evidence of a moderating effect of dispositional compassion, while analyses performed in a subsample of Study 2 including additional measures also shed light on the mediating cognitive and affective mechanisms of the effect of the kind of norm transgressed on compassionate and helping reactions. Overall, this paper delves into the intricate dynamic underlying individuals’ responses to the suffering of negatively behaving others, providing insights on how and why people react differently to norm violations.