ABSTRACT
This chapter examines an alternative possibility that moralistic groups help create moral superheroes out of relatively ordinary individuals to serve as mascots, symbolizing the group's objectives and modeling self-sacrifice. It explores the possibility that successful moralistic groups make use of a number of evolved technologies that bind group members together and to the cause. Among a larger set of social and psychological adaptations is the tendency for moralistic groups to manufacture moral heroes. Adherents may simply copy the group-centric, self-sacrificial behavior of moral heroes. Group members may also follow the instructions, demands, and even orders of their moral heroes. And when other group members fail to follow orders, adherents may demand obedience. Both the Left and the Right demand obedience when the authority represents their own ideology. This effect of prosocial language as a tool for impression management scales up to explain how governments gain the confidence of the governed.
