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Personality processes of everyday moral courage.
Anna Baumert1,2, Fabian Ezra Mentrup2, Lisa Klümper1
1School of Human and Social Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany.
Moral courage involves intervening in norm violations despite risks. Dispositional self-efficacy aids intervention, while moral disengagement hinders it, revealing key personality processes guiding this behavior.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Moral Psychology
Background:
- Moral courage is acting against norm violations despite personal risk.
- Understanding the personality processes behind moral courage is crucial for everyday ethical behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate moral courage in daily life.
- Examine cognitive and emotional processes influencing intervention.
- Identify personality dispositions predicting intervention behavior.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 1108 German adults using a quota-based sample.
- Conducted a 7-day experience sampling study.
- Assessed personality, witnessed norm violations, and behavioral reactions.
Main Results:
- 32% of 1965 reported norm violations led to intervention.
- Self-efficacy positively predicted intervention behavior.
- Moral disengagement negatively predicted intervention behavior.
Conclusions:
- Personality processes significantly influence moral courage.
- Self-efficacy and moral disengagement are key predictors.
- Findings offer insights into everyday moral action and personality.
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