Moral behavior refers to actions or attitudes that align with an individuals moral values and standards. It is the result of efforts to minimize conflicts through a conscious reflection of ones own feelings and needs as well as those of others. The ability to reason about moral issues provides a basic level of understanding necessary for moral action. According to Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, individuals progress through stages of moral reasoning with higher order reasoning including concepts of fairness, justice, and welfare. Through the process of reasoning and judgment, an individual is able to evaluate and interpret the moral situation, formulate the moral ideal, and choose a course of action that corresponds to one’s moral values. Thus, higher order moral reasoning may lead to a greater likelihood of moral behavior.
In ethics, moral behavior refers to a physical action or attitude that aligns with the principles of a specific ethical system. Morality refers to the ability to differentiate between what is right and wrong. Moral emotions represent a key element of our human moral apparatus, influencing the link between moral standards and moral behavior. Researchers have defined moral affect as “guilt, discomfort, concern” . Morals are the prevailing standards of behavior that enable people to live cooperatively in groups.
