Joshua Rottman Ph.D.

About

Joshua Rottman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Scientific & Philosophical Studies of Mind at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he directs the Developing Moral Values Lab. His research primarily focuses on children's acquisition of moral norms, the role of disgust in moral judgment, and moral valuation of the environment. Dr. Rottman's work has been published in a range of peer-reviewed journals (including Psychological Science, Cognition, and Emotion) and has been featured in The Atlantic and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.

Recent Posts

Do Moral Gains Necessarily Entail Moral Losses?

In some moral situations, acts of generosity in one area entail deprivation in another. But people problematically overextend assumptions that morality is always zero-sum.

Moral Concerns Make People More Uncompromising

Does morality really make people more forgiving? New research shows the opposite is true.

Recycling Isn’t Virtuous; It’s Making Things Worse

Amid immense amounts of human-generated waste, recycling appears to offer redemption. But by aiming to be diligent recyclers, we may be causing greater harm to the planet.

Forming Beliefs That Suit Our Moral Inclinations

When the truth is dangerous, we think it's better to believe what's good, not what's correct.

The Nature and Nurture of Morality

By asking the right questions, we can meaningfully engage with the nature/nurture debate in the study of our moral dispositions.

It’s Good to Be Gorgeous: Beauty Confers Moral Worth

For people, animals, landscapes, and even buildings, being beautiful tends to increase moral standing.

The Moral Compasses of Tree-Huggers and Human-Lovers

New research measures how people trade off moral value between nature and human outgroups.

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Science indicates that we should be pessimistic about achieving unity.

The Moral Worth of Dogs and Pigs

New research indicates that children’s moral concern for animals is not derived from their moral concern for humans.

Do Children Learn Moral Lessons from Storybooks?

New research finds that the moral of a story is as powerful as the story itself.