Moral Identity Research Articles

Adolescents High in Callous-Unemotional Traits are Prone to be Bystanders: The Roles of Moral Disengagement, Moral Identity, and Perceived Social Support.

Bystanders are the most common role that adolescents play in bullying episodes, they have considerable influence on the formation of the victim's experience and the perpetrator's behavior. Based on the social-cognitive model, the current study examined the mediating role of moral disengagement in the association between callous-unemotional traits and bystander behavior and the moderating roles of moral identity and perceived social support. Participants included 2,286 Chinese adolescents aged 11-16years (49.3% boys; Mage = 13.46, SDage = 0.93). The study showed callous-unemotional traits were significantly and positively associated with bystander behavior and this relation was partially mediated by moral disengagement. Moral identity moderated the relation between callous-unemotional traits and moral disengagement as well as callous-unemotional traits and bystander behavior. Perceived social support moderated in the direct and indirect associations between callous-unemotional traits and bystander behavior via moral disengagement. The relation between callous-unemotional traits and moral disengagement and the relation between callous-unemotional traits and bystander behavior became weaker for adolescents with high perceived social support. Surprisingly, the relation between moral disengagement and bystander behavior became stronger for adolescents with a high level of perceived social support. The results supported two specific patterns of perceived social support: stress-buffering and reverse stress-buffering. The present study contributes to our understanding of the key mechanisms underlying the association between callous-unemotional traits and adolescents' bystander behavior.

Proposer's moral identity modulates fairness processing in the ultimatum game: Evidence from behavior and brain potentials

Economic decision-making is pivotal to both human private interests and the national economy. People pursue fairness in economic decision-making, but a proposer's moral identity can influence fairness processing. Previous ERP studies have revealed that moral identity has an effect on fairness considerations in the Ultimatum Game (UG), but the findings are inconsistent. To address the issue, we revised the moral-related sentences and used the ERP technique to measure the corresponding neural mechanism. We have observed that the fairness effect in UG can be mirrored in both MFN and P300 changes, whereas the moral identity effect on fairness in UG can be reflected by MFN but not P300 changes. These findings indicate that the moral identity of the proposer can modulate fairness processing in UG. The current study opens new avenues for clarifying the temporal course of the relationship between the proposer's moral identity and fairness in economic decision-making, which is beneficial for understanding the influencing mechanism of fairness processing and fair allocations in complex social contexts.

The moral identity profiles of inspiring social studies teachers

This study aims to explore the moral identity profiles of inspiring social studies teachers. In the research conducted with the systematic grounded theory method, data were collected from 14 teachers using in-depth interviews. These data were analyzed with the technique of continuous comparative analysis. The results show the theoretical items that explain the theory to be gathered around the core category of moral identity and to be constituted of self traits; referenced worldview and beliefs; personality characteristics; ideals, and goals; past experiences; social influences; and educational approach. This study contributes to the explanation of moral identity of inspiring teachers.

The Predictive Ability of Moral Identity with Moral Emotions among the Students of the University of Jordan

This study aimed to identify the level of moral identity and emotions, in addition to predictive ability of the capacity of moral identity in moral emotions among a sample of University of Jordan students. The study was applied to a convenience sample from the study population, consisting of 800 students: 398 male and 402 female students. The study used the descriptive correlational methodology, and used the scales of: moral identity, and moral emotions to achieve the study's objectives, which have been developed by the two researchers, and the reliability and validity for them were extracted; in order to ensure their relevance to the study, as the two scales had appropriate validity and reliability indications. The results of the study revealed that the level of emotional identity was in medium level by arithmetic mean of (3.03) at the overall level, and level of moral emotions was in medium level too, with arithmetic average (6.15) at the overall level. The results also showed that there was a positive significant correlation between the moral identity and moral emotions, as it is statistically significant at the level (α ≤ .05), where the results of the regression analysis showed that the value of the correlation coefficient between emotional identity and moral emotions was (0.741) it is a statistical function at (α ≤ .05), and the emotional identity has explained the ration (54.9%) of variation in moral emotions, which is a predictor of moral emotions. The study recommended including the curriculum and syllabus with topics related to moral identity and moral emotions.

Social class and moral judgment: a process dissociation perspective.

Do social classes differ in moral judgment? Previous research showed that upper-class actors have a greater inclination toward utilitarian judgments than lower-class actors and that this relationship is mediated by empathic concern. In this paper, we take a closer look at class-based differences in moral judgment and use the psychometric technique of process dissociation to measure utilitarian and deontological decision inclinations as independent and orthogonal concepts. We find that upper-class actors do indeed have a greater inclination toward decisions consistent with utilitarian principles, albeit only to a quite small extent. Class-related differences are more pronounced with respect to deontological judgments, in so far as upper-class actors are less inclined to judgments consistent with deontological principles than lower-class actors. In addition, it is shown that class-based differences in utilitarian judgments are mediated by cognitive styles and not so much by empathic concern or moral identity. None of these potential mediators explains class-based differences in the inclination toward deontological judgments.

Moral Emotion and Moral Identity on Moral Judgement Maturity Among Malaysian Secondary School Students

In preparation for the challenges of the real world and life after school, moral judgement stands as a pivotal skill among Malaysian secondary school students. Understanding the moral motivating factors contributing to the development of moral judgement maturity is imperative. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the relationships between moral motivation components—specifically, moral emotion (guilt and shame) and moral identity—and moral judgement among Malaysian secondary school students. A sample of 393 students (170 males, 223 females; M age = 16 years) from Selangor state participated in the study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to analyse the predictive associations between these constructs. The findings revealed positive correlations among moral emotion, moral identity, and moral judgement. Notably, both guilt and shame, as well as moral identity, were found to be significantly related to students' moral judgement maturity. These results suggest that the tendency for experiencing guilt and shame, along with a heightened moral identity, play pivotal roles in shaping the moral judgement maturity of secondary school students, potentially fostering their moral development. This study contributes valuable insights into the mechanisms linking emotions and identity to moral judgement maturity, offering significant implications for the field of moral psychology.

Correction: Does Organizational Virtue Crop-Up Organizational Justice? Accessing the Mediating Role of Moral Identity

Correction: Does Organizational Virtue Crop-Up Organizational Justice? Accessing the Mediating Role of Moral Identity

The curvilinear relationship between moral identity and unethical pro-organizational behavior: moderating role of organizational identification

PurposeThis study proposes that the relationship between the employee's moral identity and unethical behavior might sometimes differ from linearly negative, given certain contextual variations, such as unethical pro-organizational behavior (UPB). The pro-organizational motivation of UPB may appeal to individuals' morality to perform unethical behavior for their organization. Herein, using the social identity perspective, the present study hypothesizes a curvilinear relationship between moral identity and UPB with the moderation of organizational identification.Design/methodology/approachData collected in two field studies, from 316 and 185 executives in Study 1 and 2, was analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis.FindingsThe results affirmed an inverted U-shaped relationship between moral identity and UPB. Further, organizational identification moderated the relationship such that an increase in organizational identification augmented the UPB tendency for low moral identity individuals while inhibiting the UPB tendency for high moral identity individuals.Originality/valueThe current study uniquely demonstrates how moral identity might promote unethical behavior in pro-organizational contexts. Further, this research shows how high moral identity might mitigate the negative outcomes of high organizational identification.

Titles as identity: applying self-determination theory to increase sponsorships by experienced private refugee sponsors in Canada

Abstract Private refugee sponsorship is a desirable behaviour – it leads to positive outcomes for sponsors, refugees, the Canadian government and the general public. The most commonly reported motivations to sponsor are related to identity, including moral and national identity. Self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that identity is a strong intrinsic motivator; individuals who identify more strongly as a sponsor may be more intrinsically motivated to take on additional sponsorships. This proposed behavioural policy uses the components of SDT to design a certificate programme that bestows an official title on sponsors after completing a sponsorship. The certificate design reflects the three components of SDT (autonomy, competence and relatedness) and encourages moral and national incentives. Official titles are shown to increase identity with a role – titles act themselves as mechanisms of identity-building, which can lead to identity-motivated behaviours. The proposed certificate programme aligns with existing practices and resources already used by the Canadian government. It suggests that official titles could be a cost-effective mechanism for encouraging subsequent sponsorships.

The problem of moral identity

The problem of moral identity

Psychometrics Properties of the Styles of Bystander Defender Intervention Scale in Cyberbullying: Its Relationships with Moral Identity and Cyberbullying

Psychometrics Properties of the Styles of Bystander Defender Intervention Scale in Cyberbullying: Its Relationships with Moral Identity and Cyberbullying

Cancer prevention in people experiencing homelessness: ethical considerations and experiences from the CANCERLESS project.

The incidence of cancer in Europe has been increasing in recent years. Despite this, cancer prevention has remained a low priority in health policies. Cancer is one of the main causes of mortality among people experiencing homelessness, who continue to have difficulties accessing prevention programs. A strategy that has been tested to favor cancer prevention is the health navigator figure. The objective of CANCERLESS project is to implement this model among populations experiencing homelessness in four European countries to foster the prevention and early detection of cancer. In this perspective, a presentation of CANCERLESS project is made, and its ethical aspects are discussed according to the ethics of public health, the ethics of care, solidarity, relational autonomy, and the social recognition of the virtue of just generosity. The ethical foundations of CANCERLESS project are rooted in social justice and in equity in access to health systems in general and cancer screening programs in particular. The ethics of public health guided by utilitarianism are insufficient in serving the interests of the most disadvantaged groups of the population. Hence, it is necessary to resort to relational bioethics that includes the ethics of care and solidarity and that recognizes the moral identity of socially excluded persons, reaffirming their position of equality in society. Relational autonomy therefore provides a broader conception by including the influence of living conditions in decisions. For this reason, the CANCERLESS project opts for a dialogue with those affected to incorporate their preferences and values into decisions about cancer prevention.

Against the odds: exploring individuals' pushback mechanisms against commercialized football gambling.

The need for money, the pursuit of pleasure, and the liberalized access to gambling have been documented in several pieces of literature as the drivers of gambling. Such drivers are predicated on commercialized gambling, leading to the growth of the gambling industry and constituting a structural influence that normalizes the activity among young people. Through a qualitative inquiry, this study investigates the social agentic factors of individuals who are susceptible to gambling. Fifteen non-gamblers were recruited across three commercial cities in Africa, namely Nairobi, Lagos, and Johannesburg. We first established the gambling susceptibility of the participants: their need for money, their passion for football, ownership of a smartphone, access to the internet, and exposure to football gambling marketing. Consequently, we probed for their agency, which is indicative of why they do not gamble, despite being susceptible to engaging in the activity. Four major agentic factors were identified from the participants; knowledge of the industry's business model, conserving the integrity of football, identity of self, morality and/or religion model. As such, these factors may be utilized to develop an intervention program for gamblers within the geographical context.

‘You are not Sikkimese enough’: Understanding collective action tendencies of old settlers in Sikkim using SIMCA

AbstractThe current study analyses the motivators and inhibitors of collective action tendency using the Social Identity Model of Collective Action (SIMCA). The study was conducted with a minority and state‐based repressed group known as the old settlers in Sikkim, India. The old settlers are a community that have been historically settled in Sikkim prior to the state's merger with India in 1975. They are racially and ethnically different from the majority population of northeasterners in Sikkim and face both institutional and interpersonal discrimination. A qualitative approach using semi‐structured interviews with 11 old settlers was taken to delineate SIMCA variables – moral conviction, identity, injustice and efficacy – within the context of northeast India. Collective action was motivated through moral conviction via principles of equality and unequal treatment and outsider status, identity via politicisation of identity, creation of social movement organisations, injustice via anger and fraternal resentment and efficacy via marches and legal recourses. Collective action was inhibited through moral conviction via denial of violation, identity via acculturation, injustice via fear and efficacy via learned helplessness. These findings indicate that in state‐based repressed groups, collective action tendencies must be understood from a context‐specific lens that attempts to understand both motivating and inhibitory factors.

Ahlaki Uzaklaşmadan Uzaklaşmak: Bireysel Farklılıklar ve Müdahale Programlarına İlişkin Bir Derleme

It is an intriguing question of how people can reduce stress in which situations where internal moral standards are violated. Addressing this question, moral disengagement theory has been proposed to explain different cognitive mechanisms which ease people into engaging or witnessing moral transgressions. Several findings showed that moral disengagement tendencies might be explained by individual differences as well as contextual factors. Beyond showing the correlations between moral disengagement processes and individual differences and contextual factors, it is also valuable to investigate if there is an effective way to intervene in moral disengagement. This review article addresses the previously shown evidence regarding individual differences, contextual factors, and interventions, which in turn aim to enrich our understanding of the underlying psychological mechanisms to reduce unethical behaviors. Taken together, Honesty-Modesty, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Psychopathy, and Machiavellianism were found to be individual differences associated with moral disengagement. Additionally, less research yielded that attachment styles, political attitudes, moral identity, and moral emotions might be important to experience moral disengagement. Although several studies showed that individual differences are related to being more prone to moral disengagement, these studies had rarely been considered in intervention programs aiming to reduce immoral behaviors. Programs that have been designed to reduce moral disengagement overlook the long-term effects. Additionally, interventions often focus on the work environment and adolescence. In the future, interventions that include longitudinal designs considering the role of individual differences and different contexts might contribute to the relevant literature.

Amplified PTSD Symptoms From Self-Attributed Moral Transgressions Are Linked to Internalized Moral Identity During Military Deployment.

Military personnel frequently experience stressful, morally challenging situations that can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The relationships between moral identity, transgressive acts, and symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (i.e., posttraumatic stress symptoms; PTSS) among U.S. Army Soldiers were assessed. A convenience cohort of 1,547 soldiers completed a survey assessing moral identity and PTSS before deployment. A subset of 505 soldiers completed another survey assessing transgressive acts and PTSS during deployment. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the underlying factor structure of the measures of moral identity and transgressive acts. Generalized linear modeling, robustness checks, and sensitivity analysis were used to evaluate the predictive relationships. Moral identity did not directly predict PTSS during deployment. However, self-attributed and betrayal-based transgressive acts were significant predictors. Specifically, self-attributed transgressive acts and PTSS were moderated by internalized moral identity; individuals with a higher internalized moral identity experienced more severe PTSS following self-attributed transgressive acts. These findings were consistent across various model checks, including covariate adjustments, data imputation, and the application of a data quality filter. The study highlights the significant role of self-attributed moral transgressions during deployment in the development of PTSS among military service members-especially in those with a strong internalized moral identity. This finding suggests a "target of opportunity" for the development of intervention strategies that mitigate PTSS by addressing the moral dimensions of military service.

Moral Internalisation Influences the Attentional Bias to Smoking and Non-Smoking Stimuli in Malaysian Youth

The youth age group is a phase of life associated with risk-taking behaviour and challenging moral issues. This study aimed to provide electrophysiological evidence that could explain the interaction between attentional bias towards the health-risk of smoking and non-health risk behaviour stimuli as influenced by various levels of moral identity. Seventy eight eligible subjects (mean age of 22 + 2.1 years old) participated in the event-related potential session. Attentional bias towards the visual stimuli was determined by recording the N200 brain potential while participants emotionally reacted to the target (health-risk of smoking, nonhealth risk behaviour) and non-target (neutral) stimuli. N200 was extracted and analysed by using a mixed-design analysis of variance with target and non-target stimuli as within subject effects and types of moral identity as between subject effects. Attentional bias towards visual stimuli interacted significantly with the different levels of moral identity in the central part of the brain. High internalisation trait indicated shorter N200 latency when reacted to the health-risk of smoking stimuli than the non-health risk behaviour stimuli. An important insight regarding to moral psychology in relation to youth health risk behaviour was highlighted to focus for the development of the health promotion and education in future.

Moral disengagement, moral identity, and counterproductive work behavior among emergency nurses.

Morality is a fundamental component of nurses' daily work. Nurses' cognitive tendencies toward moral disengagement in high-stress work environments can easily lead them to engage in counterproductive work behaviors that are not conducive to the organization. However, there is limited research on how to mitigate the impact of moral disengagement on counterproductive work behavior. The objective was to explore the impact of moral disengagement on counterproductive work behavior, as well as the reverse regulatory mechanism of moral identity on the relationship between moral disengagement and counterproductive work behavior. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study. From September to October 2023, nurses from emergency departments of major hospitals in Hunan Province were recruited, and 500 questionnaires were distributed and collected using the WeChat app Credamo Seeing Numbers. All study procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of Hunan Normal University (No. 2023-388). Moral disengagement had a positive effect on counterproductive work behavior directed at the organization (CWB-O) as well as counterproductive work behavior directed at individuals (CWB-I). Moral identity was not significant in moderating the relationship between moral disengagement and CWB-O. Moral identity had an inverse moderating effect on the mechanism of action between moral disengagement and CWB-I. Counterproductive work behavior guided by moral disengagement is detrimental to organizations, and moral identity can inhibit the effect of moral disengagement on CWB-I. Nursing administrators should focus on improving nurses' moral identity and improving the healthcare workplace environment so that moral identity can better exert its inhibitory effect on counterproductive work behavior among nurses.

Moral identity in relation to emotional well-being: a meta-analysis.

This meta-analytic review surveyed previous empirical studies that examined links between moral identity and indicators of emotional well-being. Additionally, this meta-analysis examined cultural origin as a moderator, testing if links between moral identity and emotional well-being differ in collectivistic vs. individualistic countries. A systematic literature review was conducted through ProQuest's 65 databases and PubMed. A random-effect meta-analysis and subgroup analyses were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 4.0 (CMA) software. Drawing on 27 eligible studies, moral identity was associated with greater emotional well-being (r = 0.27, p < 0.001). Follow up analyses on individual dimensions showed medium effect sizes in links between moral identity and greater happiness or positive affect (r = 0.28, p < 0.001), greater sense of purpose or meaning in life (r = 0.29, p < 0.001), and higher self-esteem (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Moreover, moral identity was associated with greater life satisfaction showing a small effect size (r = 0.15, p = 0.011). Results showed that effect sizes of links between moral identity and overall emotional well-being did not significantly differ by cultural origin. However, effect sizes tended to be larger in the nine studies that were conducted in collectivistic countries (r = 0.30, p < 0.001) as compared to the 15 studies that were conducted in individualistic countries (r = 0.27, p < 0.001). The results of this meta-analysis indicate a robust empirical relationship between moral identity and emotional well-being that is present across various dimensions of emotional well-being and in both individualistic and collectivistic cultures. https://osf.io/94f8b/?view_only=6db54da0fa304c83993d0438ecb5c637.

Islam, Visual Morality and Gender Identity in Cyberspace: The Agency, Controversy and Popular Piety of Ria Ricis

Abstract Hijab wearing women are often key players in the digital market ecosystem and popular culture in Indonesia, as well as being a battleground for discourse on contemporary relations between Islam and gender. By analyzing the controversy and development of Instagram celebrity and YouTuber Ria Ricis, this article discusses sexual morality and visual culture in cyberspace that shows the latest developments in the use of hijab, popular piety, and the lifestyle of young millennial Muslim women. This article seeks to contribute to refreshing the literature on Islamic studies and gender studies in Indonesia with the intersection of Islam, gender, and digital media. This study argues that in the midst of the controversy over Muslim woman’s sexual morality in Indonesian cyberspace, Ria Ricis shows her agency by positioning herself as a millennial hijabi woman with popular piety and participating in spreading Islamic messages according to the digital market ecosystem while maintaining a cheerful and sensational millennial identity and character.