Group Identity, Moral Expansiveness, and Generosity Across 69 Countries

Group identity is theorized to shape how widely people extend moral concern. Yet, expansivemoral concern is often assumed to undermine local bonds. Using data from 51,404 adults across69 countries, we tested whether distinct forms of group connection predict moral circleexpansiveness (MCE) and whether MCE predicts generosity in a zero-sum allocation task. Inmultilevel models, social belongingness predicted higher MCE, whereas collective narcissismpredicted lower MCE; national identification was unrelated. MCE, in turn, predicted keeping lessfor oneself and allocating more to both national and international charities while controlling fordemographics. Demographic correlates were also robust. Specifically, older age, highersubjective SES, being female, and left-leaning ideology predicted greater MCE. Country-levelfollow-ups showed heterogeneity in significance but broadly consistent directional patterns,particularly for behavioral outcomes. These findings suggest expansive moral concern iscompatible with secure connection, constrained by exclusionary identity, and meaningfullylinked to generosity across diverse societies.