Mask-Wearing Fuels Immoral Behaviour Post-COVID-19

In the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the continued use of face masks in public spaces has prompted investigation into their broader social and psychological effects. This study examines whether mask-induced anonymity influences moral behaviour in a post-pandemic context. Utilizing a modified Ultimatum/Dictator Game, we compared the behaviour of individuals wearing masks to those not wearing masks under visual and verbal communication conditions. Our results showed that participants wearing masks retained more cash for themselves in conditions where their faces were visible. This indicates that the enhanced visual anonymity provided by masks may promote more self-serving, antinormative and potentially immoral behaviour. These findings contrast with Lu and colleagues (1) who identified masks as moral symbols that reduce deviant behaviour during the pandemic. We propose that the symbolic association of masks has weakened post-pandemic, shifting their impact towards anonymity-related behavioural changes.