Endorsing Help For Others That You Oppose For Yourself: Mind Perception Guides Support For Paternalism

Abstract

We propose that support for paternalistic aid depends in part on people's subtle inferences about the mental capacities-self-control and rationality-of those being helped. In five experiments, we manipulate people's beliefs about their own and others' mental capacities and demonstrate these beliefs influence endorsement of paternalistic policies. [to cite]