The Illusion of Moral Superiority: Evidence from the Energy Crisis

Dertwinkel-Kalt, Markus; Feldhaus, Christoph; Ockenfels, Axel; Sutter, Matthias

Abstract

We provide evidence in line with the illusion of moral superiority, a phenomenon that individuals perceive themselves to be more morally motivated than others. We analyze survey data collected during the 2022/23 energy crisis in Germany to investigate individuals’ and others’ motivations to reduce gas consumption, including both financial and non-financial (or ‘moral’) motives. Across two studies, we find evidence for the illusion of moral superiority: participants, on average, attribute stronger moral motives to their own savings compared to those of others.