Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
https://trends.org.br/article/doi/10.1590/2237-6089-2017-0022
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Original Article

European Portuguese adaptation and validation of dilemmas used to assess moral decision-making

Adaptação e validação para português europeu de dilemas utilizados para avaliar a tomada de decisão moral

Carina Fernandes; Ana Ribeiro Gonçalves; Rita Pasion; Fernando Ferreira-Santos; Tiago Oliveira Paiva; Joana Melo e Castro; Fernando Barbosa; Isabel Pavão Martins; João Marques-Teixeira

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/2237-6089-2017-0022 Trends Psychiatry Psychother, vol.40, n1, p.38-46, 2018
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Abstract

Abstract Objective To adapt and validate a widely used set of moral dilemmas to European Portuguese, which can be applied to assess decision-making. Moreover, the classical formulation of the dilemmas was compared with a more focused moral probe. Finally, a shorter version of the moral scenarios was tested. Methods The Portuguese version of the set of moral dilemmas was tested in 53 individuals from several regions of Portugal. In a second study, an alternative way of questioning on moral dilemmas was tested in 41 participants. Finally, the shorter version of the moral dilemmas was tested in 137 individuals. Results Results evidenced no significant differences between English and Portuguese versions. Also, asking whether actions are “morally acceptable” elicited less utilitarian responses than the original question, although without reaching statistical significance. Finally, all tested versions of moral dilemmas exhibited the same pattern of responses, suggesting that the fundamental elements to the moral decision-making were preserved. Conclusions We found evidence of cross-cultural validity for moral dilemmas. However, the moral focus might affect utilitarian/deontological judgments.

Keywords

Cognition, emotion, forensic psychiatry, validation studies, psychometric

Resumo

Resumo Objetivos Validar e adaptar para português europeu um conjunto de dilemas morais amplamente utilizado, que poderá ser aplicado para avaliar a tomada de decisão moral. Além disso, comparou-se a formulação clássica dos dilemas com uma versão alternativa, que incluía uma questão mais focada na moralidade. Finalmente, testou-se uma versão reduzida dos cenários morais. Métodos A versão portuguesa dos dilemas morais foi testada em 53 participantes de várias regiões de Portugal, e a versão alternativa foi testada em 41 sujeitos. Finalmente, a versão reduzida dos dilemas morais foi testada numa amostra de 137 participantes. Resultados Não houve diferenças significativas entre a versão portuguesa e a inglesa. A pergunta “É moralmente aceitável...?” evocou menos respostas utilitárias que a versão original, embora não tenham sido obtidas diferenças significativas. A versão portuguesa original, a alternativa e a reduzida evidenciaram o mesmo padrão de respostas, sugerindo que os elementos fundamentais para a tomada de decisão moral estão preservados. Conclusões Encontramos evidências para a validade intercultural dos dilemas morais. No entanto, o foco moral colocado na questão final pode afetar os juízos utilitários/deontológicos.

Palavras-chave

Emoção, cognição, psiquiatria forense, estudos de validação, psicometria

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