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

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.

摘要
研究目的：本研究旨在适配并验证一套广泛应用的道德困境（moral dilemmas）材料，使其适配欧洲葡萄牙语，可用于评估个体决策行为。此外，本研究将经典版道德困境的提问表述与更具针对性的道德探查提问方式进行对比。最后，本研究还对精简版道德情境材料进行了适用性测试。
研究方法：葡萄牙语版道德困境材料的测试共招募了来自葡萄牙多个地区的53名受试者。第二项研究中，针对41名受试者测试了一种替代版的道德困境提问方式。最后，针对137名受试者测试了精简版道德困境材料。
研究结果：结果表明，英语版与葡萄牙语版道德困境材料无显著差异。此外，以"行为在道德上是否可接受"作为提问选项时，引发的功利主义反应较原版提问更少，但未达到统计学显著性水平。所有测试版本的道德困境材料均呈现出一致的反应模式，提示道德决策的核心要素得以保留。
研究结论：本研究证实道德困境材料具有跨文化效度。不过，道德提问的侧重点可能会对功利主义/义务论判断产生影响。