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Proscriptive versus prescriptive morality: two faces of moral regulation.

Ronnie Janoff-Bulman1, Sana Sheikh, Sebastian Hepp

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA,USA. janbul@psych.umass.edu

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|March 4, 2009
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Summary

This study distinguishes between prescriptive morality (what we should do) and proscriptive morality (what we should not do). Both moral forms are equally weighted but differ in their motivational basis and social perception.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Moral Psychology

Background:

  • Morality is often conceptualized as a unified construct.
  • However, distinct self-regulation systems may underlie different moral concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate between prescriptive and proscriptive morality.
  • To investigate their distinct motivational underpinnings and psychological characteristics.
  • To provide evidence for moral asymmetry in self-regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Seven empirical studies were conducted.
  • Methods included examining approach-avoidance differences in self-regulation.
  • Participants' perceptions of prescriptive and proscriptive moral rules were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Prescriptive morality is linked to positive outcomes and approach motivation (what we should do).
  • Proscriptive morality is linked to negative outcomes and avoidance motivation (what we should not do).
  • Proscriptive morality is perceived as stricter, more concrete, and duty-based, leading to greater blame for violations. Prescriptive morality is seen as more abstract and discretionary, yielding moral credit.

Conclusions:

  • Two distinct forms of morality, prescriptive and proscriptive, exist within individuals' moral repertoires.
  • These moral forms have different motivational bases and are perceived differently in social contexts.
  • Understanding these distinctions has implications for social regulation and cross-cultural differences.