A Multi-Goal, Multi-Action, Cognitive-Affective Model for Understanding Gatekeepers’ Intention to Report Deviant Close-Others

Reporting a close-other to authorities can save lives from extreme deviant behaviors but it also poses a dilemma as gatekeepers struggle between their relationship and societal obligations. We propose and test a multi-goal, multi-action, cognitive-affective model to elucidate this decision-making process. Across various contexts (hate crimes, problem gambling, and violent extremism), gatekeepers' motivational strength to report and not report their close-other and their anticipated regret toward both actions simultaneously contributed to the variance of reporting intentions (30-70%). Notably, a future time perspective increased reporting intentions by elevating the motivational strength of all societal obligations (e.g., concern for innocent others) and one relationship obligation (helping the close-other). Our findings suggest that a more balanced weighting underlies the multi-goal dynamic of dilemmatic decision-making, and that the reporting decision is a nuanced blend of concerns for both societal welfare and the well-being of loved ones. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.