Research on deontological versus utilitarian moral reasoning has been largely silent on how interpersonal
experiences shape moral judgment.We hypothesized that both anxious and avoidant attachment would predict
the propensity tomake utilitarian versus deontological judgments, but via different pathways. In Studies 1 and 2,
the link between anxious attachment and utilitarianism was mediated by the need to belong and empathy
toward the group. In contrast, the link between avoidant attachment and utilitarianism was mediated by
discomfort with caring for others and decreased empathy toward the individual victim. In Study 3, the moral
judgments of anxiously attached individuals changed to more closely match the group's desired outcome:
utilitarian or deontological. In contrast, the judgments of avoidantly attached individuals moved in opposition
to the desire of the group. The distinct paths to utilitarianism displayed by anxious and avoidant individuals
suggest that utilitarianism may result from a diverse set of psychological processes.