The Effect of the Moral Foundations Theory (MFT) on Isfahan Citizens' Political Preference

Investigating citizens' political attitudes is an issue with a special place in society because attitudes are the prelude to individuals' formation of behaviors and social actions. In this regard, a factor that seems to influence citizens' preferences and political attitudes during elections is moral foundations. In this regard, this study tries to use the moral foundations theory (MFT) (Haidt, 2001) and its impact of such foundations on the political orientations of the citizens. The statistical research population included Isfahan citizens in the spring of 2017. Via a cluster sampling technique, 599 citizens were selected as the sample size and studied using the survey method. Research results showed that while values of authority and sanctity lead citizens to turn to principled political groups, rising scores of the moral value of fairness and justice have led to a tendency toward reformism. Finally, the results indicate that, unlike the theoretical literature, the values of care and loyalty did not significantly affect the citizens' political preference.