This research examines the effect of self-concept clarity (i.e., having self-beliefs that are clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and stable) on moral behavior. Seven preregistered studies (N = 3,373) document that low (vs. high) self-concept clarity decreases moral behavior (e.g., donation, volunteering, tax compliance, honesty in an incentivized game). This effect occurs because low self-concept clarity increases moral disengagement, leading people to behave in morally questionable manners without damaging their self-concept. As evidence for this proposed underlying mechanism, we show that the effect of self-concept clarity on moral behavior is mediated by state moral disengagement and attenuates (a) among people with low trait moral disengagement, (b) among people with high trait moral identity internalization, and (c) in the presence of an honor pledge cueing moral engagement. We then show that the effect holds only when a prosocial act is congruent with personal values. Overall, these findings contribute to the literature on self-concept and moral self-regulation and have implications for how to promote morality and curb unethical behavior in society. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

中文翻译：

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不明显的不道德：低自我概念清晰度会增加道德脱离。


本研究考察了自我概念清晰度（即拥有清晰自信、内在一致和稳定的自我信念）对道德行为的影响。七项预先注册的研究 （N = 3,373） 记录了低（相对于高）自我概念清晰度会降低道德行为（例如，捐赠、志愿服务、税务合规、激励游戏中的诚实）。之所以产生这种效果，是因为自我概念清晰度低会增加道德脱离，导致人们在不损害他们的自我概念的情况下以道德上有问题的方式行事。作为这一拟议的潜在机制的证据，我们表明自我概念清晰度对道德行为的影响是由状态道德脱离介导的，并且减弱了 （a） 在低特质道德脱离的人中，（b） 在具有高特质道德认同内化的人中，以及 （c） 在存在提示道德参与的荣誉承诺时。然后我们表明，只有当亲社会行为与个人价值观一致时，这种效果才成立。总体而言，这些发现有助于关于自我概念和道德自我调节的文献，并对如何促进道德和遏制社会中的不道德行为具有启示。（PsycInfo 数据库记录 （c） 2024 APA，保留所有权利）。