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Moral-Credential Bias
What Is Moral-Credential Bias?
The Quick Answer
In Critical Thinking, moral-credential bias is believing previous good acts give licence to performing a bad act.Here's a short example to illustrate moral-credential bias:
Imagine a person regularly volunteers at a local charity organization, devoting their time and effort to helping others. After engaging in these morally praiseworthy activities, they might feel a sense of moral credential or moral superiority. As a result, they may then feel justified in engaging in behaviour that goes against their usual moral standards, such as engaging in dishonest business practices or mistreating others.
The moral-credential bias stems from the desire to maintain a positive self-image and to resolve cognitive dissonance. By having a track record of moral behaviour, individuals may feel that they have earned the right to act in a way that is inconsistent with their moral values, believing they have "balanced the scales."This bias can have significant consequences as it allows individuals to engage in harmful or unethical behaviour while still perceiving themselves as moral and virtuous. It can undermine personal integrity and contribute to a lack of accountability for one's actions.
Recognizing moral-credential bias is important for maintaining consistency in moral behaviour and avoiding rationalizations that justify immoral or unethical actions based on past virtuous behaviour. It involves being aware of the potential for this bias to influence decision-making and holding oneself accountable for maintaining ethical standards even after engaging in morally praiseworthy acts.

Easy Definition of Moral-Credential Bias
Don't think it's okay to do something wrong because you normally do the right thing. Your decision to do the wrong thing would be tainted by moral-credential bias, if you did.
Academic Definition of Moral-Credential Bias
Moral-credential bias occurs when someone's history of making fair judgements gives rise to a sense of "free licence" in the future.
An Example of Moral-Credential Bias
We are an equal-opportunities employer...sometimes

"In institutions that do not feel the sharp wind of public criticism, an innocent corruption grows up, like a mushroom."
(German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844–1900)
This quotation captures the situation quite well. Knowing he wouldn't face public criticism (because of his previous recruitment practice), the manager felt he had licence to do what he wanted.
(German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844–1900)
Another Example of Moral-Credential Bias
I've paid enough tax, your majesty
I once overheard a driving instructor say to his pupil, "I just work cash in hand these days. I've paid enough tax over the years."This is a great example of moral-credential bias. Good practice in the past does give the green light for bad practice.
A Practical Application for Moral-Credential Bias
Defend yourself and others

"If you rob a bank once, you'll go to jail. You won't be let off for the nine times you didn't rob a bank."
Summary of Moral-Credential Bias
If you think somebody justifies doing something wrong on the grounds that they feel they've accumulated sufficient goodwill, tell them their decision is influenced by moral-credential bias.Critical Thinking Test
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