Familiarity breeds contempt for moral failings

Just like how we might criticize our best friend for eating another slice of cake while giving a pass to a stranger, new research has shown that we tend to judge people from our own group more severely for their moral wrongdoings compared to those outside our circle. This finding highlights the psychological phenomenon of ‘familiarity breeds contempt.’ It’s like being more annoyed at your sibling for leaving dirty dishes in the sink than a distant cousin doing the same thing. The study suggests that our expectations and standards for those closer to us are higher, and when they fall short, we react more strongly. So, why does this happen? One theory is that we feel a stronger sense of betrayal or disappointment when people within our close circle deviate from the shared moral norms. This could be because we assume a certain level of trust and shared values within our own group. To learn more about this fascinating research, check out the full article!