Waleszczyński,A.,Obidziński,M. & Rejewska, J.
(2018). Studia Humana,7(4) 9-15.
https://doi.org/10.2478/sh-2018-0019
Abstract
The characteristic asymmetry in the attribution of intentionality in causing side effects, known as the Knobe effect, is considered to be a stable model of human cognition. This article looks at whether the way of thinking and analysing one scenario may affect the other and whether the mutual relationship between the ways in which both scenarios are analysed may affect the stability of the Knobe effect. The theoretical analyses and empirical studies performed are based on a distinction between moral and non-moral normativity possibly affecting the judgments passed in both scenarios. Therefore, an essential role in judgments about the intentionality of causing a side effect could be played by normative competences responsible for distinguishing between normative orders.
From the Summary
As to the question asked at the onset of this article, namely, whether the way of thinking about the intentionality of causing a side effect in morally negative situations affects the way of thinking about the intentionality of causing a side effect in morally positive situations, or vice versa, the answer could be as follows. It is very likely that the way of thinking and analysing each of the scenarios depends on the normative order from the perspective of which each particular scenario or sequence of scenarios is considered. At the same time, the results suggest that it is moral normativity that decides the stability of the Knobe effect. Nevertheless, more in-depth empirical and theoretical studies are required in order to analyse the problems discussed in this article more thoroughly.
My brief explanation:
The Knobe Effect is a phenomenon in experimental philosophy where people are more likely to ascribe intentionality to an action if it has a harmful side effect that the agent could have foreseen, even if the agent did not intend the side effect. This effect is important to psychologists because it sheds light on how people understand intentionality, which is a central concept in psychology.
The Knobe Effect is also important to psychologists because it has implications for our understanding of moral judgment. For example, if people are more likely to blame an agent for a harmful side effect that the agent could have foreseen, even if the agent did not intend the side effect, then this suggests that people may be using moral considerations to inform their judgments of intentionality.
These asymmetrical attributions may be most helpful when working with high conflict couples who interpret harmful messages as intentional, and may minimize helpful and supportive messages (because these are expected).
