Consistency and moral integrity: A self-determination theory perspective |
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Authors: | Alexios Arvanitis Konstantinos Kalliris |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Psychology, University of Crete , Rethymno, Greece a.arvanitis@uoc.gr https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3379-0286;3. Leicester De Montfort Law School, De Montfort University , Leicester, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4566-1681 |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT If acting morally can be viewed as acting consistently with a moral principle or rule, then being a person with moral integrity can be viewed as consistently applying moral principles or rules across different types of situations. We advance a view of moral integrity that incorporates three distinct, but interrelated, types of moral consistency: cognitive, emotional and motivational moral consistency. Our approach is based on Self-Determination Theory, a motivational theory that can explain when a moral rule becomes the primary motive for behavior. We argue that moral integrity is achieved when a person acts on the basis of an internal moral system of principles, emotions and motives and provide an account of the way that it develops during a person’s interaction with the environment. |
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Keywords: | Self-determination theory moral integrity cognitive consistency morality emotional integration |
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