ISSEP-2026-05

GRANT ID#: ISSEP-2026-05

GRANT TITLE: Facing Death, Thinking Culturally: Analytic–Holistic Cognition and Moral Dilemmas across Cultures.

GRANTEE: Baylor University.

PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Jun Wang.

GRANT AMOUNT: USD $3,000

DURATION OF GRANT PROJECT: April 15, 2026 – April 15, 2027.

Description of the Project

Executive summary:

How do culturally shaped cognitive styles influence moral judgment under existential threat? This study examines how mortality salience (MS) and analytic–holistic thinking (AHS) shape responses to trolley-type moral dilemmas. Drawing from Terror Management Theory and cultural psychology, we propose that analytic and holistic cognition—rooted in Western and East Asian traditions—serve as existential buffers in moral reasoning under threat. Participants (N = 760; European American and East Asian American) will be randomly assigned to MS or control conditions and respond to two trolley dilemmas in first- and third-person perspectives. Moral judgment will be assessed using binary and Likert-scale responses. We predict that MS will amplify preexisting cognitive orientations: analytic thinkers will show greater utilitarian preference, while holistic thinkers will exhibit stronger deontological restraint. This study bridges existential and cultural psychology, offering novel insight into how cognition—shaped by culture—functions as a symbolic defense in moral decision-making.

Itemized budget:

1. Participant Compensation: $2,660.

Each participant will receive $3.50 for a 15–20 minute session. 760 participants × $3.50 = $2,660.

2. Prolific Platform Fees: $266.

Prolific charges a 10% service fee. 10% × $2,660 = $266.

3. Software and Survey Tools: $30.

Costs related to additional Qualtrics features or temporary third-party tools (e.g., IP filters, CAPTCHA plugins).

4. Piloting Costs: $44 Pilot study (n = 30) × $1.25 compensation + 10% fee ≈ $44.

Total: $3,000.

The total amount approved for this project is USD $3,000.