Virtue Signaling Test (VST)

The Virtue Signaling Test (VST) is a tool built to measure how much you lean into virtue signaling—broadcasting your morals to score points. Drawing from the research of Jillian Jordan and David Rand (2019), it breaks it down into four dimensions: motives (why you do it), frequency (how often), audience focus (who you’re impressing), and consistency (if you walk the talk). Rooted in psychological insight, the VST shows how much you’re playing the saint online or off.

Jordan and Rand’s study, published as “Signaling When (and When Not) to Be Cautious and Self-Protective” in Nature Human Behaviour, explored how people signal moral traits to boost their rep—not quite virtue signaling as a buzzword, but close enough to vibe with. The VST tests motives (self-interest vs. belief), frequency (daily flex or rare preach), audience focus (public applause or private pat), and consistency (matching words to deeds). It maps your signaling, from subtle to spotlight-hogging.

You’ll hit about 40 items—things like “I post about causes to look good” or “I’d call out wrong even if no one saw.” Scored 0 to 100, low means you’re low-key authentic, high means you’re a moral peacock. Research like Jordan and Rand’s hints at an average around 41.8—people signal plenty, but it swings by personality and platform.

Motives measure why you flash your virtues—ego or ethics? Frequency tracks how often you’re at it. Audience focus checks who you’re performing for. Consistency asks if your morals hold up offstage. Results split by category, showing your signaling style.

The VST doesn’t judge your soul; it’s a mirror. It quantifies how much you’re selling your goodness and why, nudging you to ponder your moves. Whether you’re a quiet doer or a loud crusader, it hooks you into the psychology of moral flexing.