The Illusion of Moral Superiority: Evidence from the Energy Crisis

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

No 11837, CESifo Working Paper Series from CESifo

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.

Keywords: moral behavior; moral superiority; energy crisis. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D01 D02 H41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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