Which statement best reflects the idea that instincts influence moral judgments and can be manipulated by sensory cues?

• A. Feelings are always reliable
• B. Feelings guide judgments and can be manipulated by sensory cues
• C. Principles always override feelings
• D. Feelings have no impact

Answer: (B)

Instincts and emotions underpin moral judgments, and those affective responses can be nudged by sensory cues. Our quick, automatic feelings help us decide fast, but they aren’t fixed; they can be amplified or dampened by what we sense in the environment. For example, a scent associated with cleanliness can heighten concerns about purity and lead to stricter moral judgments, while a warm touch or comforting imagery can make people more generous or forgiving. This shows that feelings guide judgments, and sensory cues can manipulate those feelings, which is why this statement best captures the idea. Feelings aren’t always reliable, and they do have an impact on judgment, so claims that they are always reliable or have no influence don’t fit.