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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Journal of Adolescen...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
Journal of Adolescence
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: Wiley Online Library User Agreement
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Omission Bias in Adolescence: Asymmetric Perceptions of Morality, Intentionality and Causality

Authors: Yanwei Wang; Jiaxuan Zhao; Yanjie Su;

Omission Bias in Adolescence: Asymmetric Perceptions of Morality, Intentionality and Causality

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroductionHumans are more tolerant of omissions than commissions when both cause similar negative outcomes, which is defined as omission bias. Although adults show omission bias in various moral contexts, it remains unclear how omission bias develops from adolescence to early adulthood. The current study aims to examine how adolescents perceive morality, intentionality, and causality of commissions and omissions.MethodsWe recruited 730 participants from junior and senior high schools, as well as universities, between 2022 and 2023. Participants came from three provinces (Beijing, Shanxi, Henan) in China, including 160 early adolescents (Mage = 12.55 ± 0.34 years, 74 females), 169 middle adolescents (Mage = 13.71 ± 0.71 years, 74 females), 223 late adolescents (Mage = 17.15 ± 0.60 years, 123 females), and 178 young adults (Mage = 21.75 ± 1.81 years, 123 females). We conducted a 2 (Behavior: commission, omission) × 4 (Age: early adolescents, middle adolescents, late adolescents, young adults) × 2 (Outcome: harm, no harm) analysis of variance with morality, intentionality, and causality ratings as dependent variables respectively.ResultsThe results indicated late adolescents and young adults regarded commissions as more immoral than omissions. This tendency was consistent with the asymmetric perceptions of causality in the same age groups, but not with the asymmetric perceptions of intentionality, which existed even in early adolescence.ConclusionsThese findings suggested that omission bias becomes more pronounced in middle‐to‐late adolescence and causality perceptions may play an important role in omission bias on moral judgment.

Related Organizations
Keywords

Male, Causality, Young Adult, China, Adolescent, Humans, Female, Intention, Morals, Child

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
3
Top 10%
Average
Average
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