Sleeping over moral dilemmas modulates utilitarian decision-making

Abstract Moral decision-making depends on the interaction between emotional and cognitive control processes, which are also affected by sleep. Here we aimed to assess potential role of sleep in modulation moral decisions over time testing change behavioral responses dilemmas (1 week). Thirty-five young adults were tested twice, with one week sessions. In each session, participants presented 24 sacrificial (12 Footbridge- 12 Trolley-type) 6 everyday-type dilemmas. dilemmas, had choose whether or not kill person save more people (utilitarian choice), judge how morally acceptable proposed solution was, they felt terms valence arousal during decision. decide pursuit violations involving dishonest behavior. Between sessions, participants’ pattern was assessed via actigraphy. We observed that reduced utilitarian choices second this effect pronounced for Trolley-type showed after a judged as less acceptable, but there no self-reported reactivity (i.e., valence, arousal). Moreover, efficiency mildly negatively associated changes decision acceptability Footbridge-type Taken together, our data suggest dealing situation engages several interacting factors seem go beyond competing roles processes.