Divided by morality? Moral foundations of affective polarisation during hard times

Abstract

In this article, we examine the deeper causes of a key group conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic: attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccination. Extending research on affective polarisation beyond partisanship, we analyse how people perceive the external groups of vaccination supporters and opponents. Furthermore, we investigate how their own moral foundations influence these perceptions. Using six samples from six European countries, our analyses reveal an affective divide between supporters and opponents of COVID-19 vaccinations. Most interestingly and contrary to conventional expectations, we find that individualising rather than binding foundations intensify affective polarisation between pro- and anti-vaccination supporters in all countries. It seems that especially in times of pandemic threat, COVID-19 vaccination supporters and opponents alike feel that their core moral foundations, in particular, fairness are being challenged by their respective out-groups. Our findings could be used to develop depolarisation interventions involving moral framing.