Rethinking Human Morality in Real-Life Social Contexts

Psychological and neuroscientific research has traditionally prioritized internal validity and experimental control, often at the expense of ecological and external validity. This imbalance has produced models of moral cognition that may not reflect how moral decisions unfold in real-world, socially embedded contexts. In this perspective paper, we argue that the lack of attention to ecological and external validity limits the generalizability and relevance of findings—particularly in moral psychology, where decisions are deeply shaped by cultural and interpersonal dynamics. We highlight how variables such as social influence, environments and populations are regularly overlooked when moral cognition is studied in traditional settings, constraining our understanding of the factors influencing (im)moral behavior. Based on recent proof-of-concept studies, we propose actionable solutions to integrate naturalistic environments and diverse populations without sacrificing methodological rigor, calling for a more balanced approach to validity that better captures human moral behavior in its full complexity. We also propose a self-reflection table that researchers from all fields can use to openly reflect on the external and ecological validity of their experimental paradigms.