Moral Motivations: The Relationship between Self-Regulation and Morality

Sana Sheikh, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Document Type: Open Access

Abstract

This research introduces an attempt to regard morality from a motivational perspective by conceptualizing the moral realm in terms of approach-avoidance motivation. The study used a situational priming measure and dispositional measures to investigate the impact of approach-avoidance motivation on moral judgments. A secondary objective was to explore the relationship between conceptions of morality and perceived personal preference. Despite the failure of the priming measure, dispositional activation predicted moral judgments of approach-oriented behaviors, which were, overall, viewed as more a matter of personal preference. Dispositonal inhibition predicted moral judgments of avoidance-oriented behaviors, which were, overall, judged more harshly and were associated with perceptions of personal preference. The findings concerning the differences between approach and avoidance moral motivations provide support for the role of self-regulation in an individual’s moral system.

Recommended Citation

Sheikh, Sana, "Moral Motivations: The Relationship between Self-Regulation and Morality" (2007). Masters Theses. Paper 32.
http://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses/32