Proscriptive versus prescriptive morality : Two faces of moral regulation
Date
03/2009Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
A distinction is made between two forms of morality on the basis of approach–avoidance differences in self-regulation. Prescriptive morality is sensitive to positive outcomes, activation-based, and focused on what we should do. Proscriptive morality is sensitive to negative outcomes, inhibition-based, and focused on what we should not do. Seven studies profile these two faces of morality, support their distinct motivational underpinnings, and provide evidence of moral asymmetry. Both are well-represented in individuals' moral repertoire and equivalent in terms of moral weight, but proscriptive morality is condemnatory and strict, whereas prescriptive morality is commendatory and not strict. More specifically, in these studies proscriptive morality was perceived as concrete, mandatory, and duty-based, whereas prescriptive morality was perceived as more abstract, discretionary, and based in duty or desire; proscriptive immorality resulted in greater blame, whereas prescriptive morality resulted in greater moral credit. Implications for broader social regulation, including cross-cultural differences and political orientation, are discussed.
Citation
Janoff-Bulman , R , Sheikh , S & Hepp , S 2009 , ' Proscriptive versus prescriptive morality : Two faces of moral regulation ' , Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , vol. 96 , no. 3 , pp. 521-537 . https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013779
Publication
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0022-3514Type
Journal article
Rights
(c) 2009 American Psychological Association. This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record.
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